Tree Preservation Orders in South London — Your Complete Guide
A Tree Preservation Order is a legal designation placed on a tree or group of trees by the local council to prevent them being cut down, topped, lopped, uprooted, or wilfully damaged without consent. Across South London, TPOs protect thousands of individual trees and groups of trees — particularly in Dulwich, Blackheath, Bromley, Herne Hill, and the conservation areas of Lewisham and Greenwich.
If your tree has a TPO, or if your property falls within a conservation area, you need to understand the rules before carrying out any work. Getting it wrong can result in prosecution and fines of up to £20,000 — or unlimited penalties in Crown Court.
This guide explains how TPOs work in South London, how to check if your tree is protected, how to apply for consent to carry out work, and what to do about overhanging branches from a neighbour’s protected tree.
What Does a TPO Protect?
A TPO protects a tree from any work that could damage or destroy it. This includes felling, topping, lopping, uprooting, and wilful damage — which can include root cutting, soil compaction from construction, or even applying herbicide.
The protection applies to the entire tree, not just the trunk. You cannot prune branches, remove deadwood, or carry out any work without written consent from the council — even if the tree is on your own property.
TPOs can cover individual trees, groups of trees, areas of trees, or entire woodlands. The level of protection is the same regardless of the type of TPO.
Conservation Areas Are Different
If your property falls within a conservation area, the rules are slightly different from TPOs but equally important.
Any tree in a conservation area with a trunk diameter greater than 75mm (measured at 1.5 metres above ground) is automatically protected — even if it does not have an individual TPO. Before carrying out any work on such a tree, you must give the council six weeks’ written notice.
During that six-week period, the council reviews the notification and can choose to place a TPO on the tree if they consider it worth protecting. If they raise no objection within six weeks, you can proceed with the work as described in your notification.
South London has extensive conservation area coverage. Lewisham borough includes the Brockley Conservation Area, Blackheath Conservation Area, Telegraph Hill, and parts of Lee. Greenwich borough has conservation area designations across Greenwich town centre, Blackheath, Westcombe Park, and parts of Eltham. Southwark includes Dulwich Village, parts of Camberwell, and several other designated areas. Bromley has numerous conservation areas across the borough.
How to Check if Your Tree Has a TPO
First, check your local council’s website. Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark, and Bromley all maintain searchable TPO registers online. Search by your address or postcode to see if any trees on or near your property are protected.
Second, check if your property is in a conservation area. Council websites also have conservation area maps. If your property falls within a conservation area boundary, every qualifying tree on the site is automatically protected.
Third, if you are unsure, contact the council’s tree officer. They can confirm the status of specific trees and advise on what work, if any, can be carried out without consent.
We check the TPO and conservation area status of every tree before quoting. If consent or notification is required, we handle the entire process on your behalf.
How to Apply for TPO Tree Work
If your tree has a TPO and you want to carry out work on it, you need to apply to the council for consent.
First, determine what work is needed. Be specific — “reduce crown by 2 metres in height and lateral spread” is approvable. “Tidy up the tree” is not. If you are unsure, a qualified arborist can assess the tree and recommend appropriate work.
Second, complete the council’s TPO application form. Most South London boroughs offer this online. You need to provide your details, the tree’s location, the exact work proposed, and your reasons for the work. Include photographs showing the tree and the issue you are addressing.
Third, provide arboricultural justification. Councils only grant consent if the work is justified — not simply convenient. Good reasons include dead or dangerous branches, structural damage to property, significant light obstruction, or subsidence risk. “The tree blocks my view” is unlikely to succeed. An arborist’s report strengthens your application.
Fourth, submit and wait. Councils have up to eight weeks to decide. They may send a tree officer to inspect the tree in person. If consent is granted, it will include specific conditions — follow them exactly.
Finally, use a qualified tree surgeon. Councils expect work on TPO trees to be carried out by qualified professionals using proper arboricultural techniques. Topping or bad pruning on a TPO tree can result in enforcement action.
Overhanging Branches from a Neighbour’s TPO Tree
Under common law, you have the right to cut back branches that overhang your property from a neighbour’s tree — up to the boundary line. However, this right does NOT apply when the tree has a TPO.
If a neighbour’s tree has a TPO and its branches overhang your garden, you cannot prune them without the council’s written consent. You need to apply for TPO consent in the same way the tree owner would — or ask the tree owner to apply on your behalf.
The best approach is to talk to your neighbour first. Explain the issue and suggest applying to the council jointly. Most disputes over overhanging branches can be resolved through conversation rather than legal action.
If the branches are genuinely dangerous — dead wood at risk of falling, or a branch cracked and hanging — contact the council immediately. Emergency work on dangerous branches can proceed without waiting for the full consent process, but you should still notify the council and document the situation with photographs.
What Happens if You Break a TPO?
Carrying out unauthorised work on a TPO-protected tree is a criminal offence under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Penalties include fines of up to £20,000 in the magistrates’ court or unlimited fines if prosecuted in Crown Court. The council can also require you to replant a replacement tree.
The “I didn’t know it had a TPO” defence does not hold up. It is your responsibility to check before carrying out any work. This is why we check every tree’s status before quoting — and why you should never let an unqualified operator work on your trees without verifying protection status first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my tree has a TPO in South London?
Check your local council’s website — Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark, and Bromley all have searchable TPO registers online. Also check whether your property falls within a conservation area, which automatically protects qualifying trees. If unsure, contact the council’s tree officer.
Can I prune a TPO tree without permission?
No. Any work on a TPO-protected tree requires written consent from the council. This includes pruning, deadwooding, and crown reduction — not just felling. The only exception is genuinely dangerous emergency work where there is an immediate threat to safety.
How long does a TPO application take?
Councils have up to eight weeks to decide. Some applications are decided more quickly, particularly if they are straightforward. Conservation area notifications require six weeks’ notice.
What if my neighbour’s TPO tree is damaging my property?
You still need council consent before carrying out any work. Apply for consent with evidence of the damage — photographs, structural engineer reports, or subsidence investigation reports. Councils generally approve work that is genuinely necessary to prevent property damage.
Do you handle TPO applications?
Yes. We check the status of every tree, prepare the application with full arboricultural justification, and submit it on your behalf. Our experience with South London borough tree officers means fewer rejected applications and faster approvals.
