Planning, building and the environment

An overview on trees

Introduction

Communities and Local Government deals with all matters relating to trees that are grown mainly because they help to improve the quality of our lives, rather than for their value as a timber crop. These are known as 'amenity trees', though their benefits go well beyond making places appear more attractive. Amenity trees are found in parks and other open spaces, or lining the sides of our streets, railways, rivers and canals. They also include all the trees in our own gardens - in town and country alike.

Trees can also provide valuable habitats for wildlife, improve the air we breathe, help to conserve energy in nearby buildings and much more.

You can contact Communities and Local Government about tree matters at trees@communities.gsi.gov.uk

Planting more trees

We support the planting of new trees and promote the best practice to ensure the survival of newly planted trees and ensure efficient use of resources.

Communities and Local Government sponsor programmes which involve tree planting as part of a wider strategy to improve where we live and work. Financial support is also given to several voluntary organisations that either plant or care for trees themselves, or encourage others to do so. We sponsor Groundwork to help take forward our objectives for environmental regeneration in deprived urban areas and also CABE Space to champion parks and green spaces. The Tree Council, Trees for Cities and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers currently receive funding for specific tree related projects that involve the community through the Special Grants Programme.

Looking after those we have

We run a small research programme to make sure that people who care for our trees in towns and countryside have the latest scientific information and advice on good management practice.

The results of our research have generally been published in the Research for Amenity Trees series. Current titles are:

No 1	Trees in towns Published 1993. (Out of print).
No 2	Diagnosis of ill-health in trees (2nd edition) Published 13 July 2000. ISBN 978 0 11 753545 9. Price £36.00
No 3	Urban tree strategies Published 1994. (Out of print).
No 4	The body language of trees: a handbook for failure analysis Published 30 November 1995. ISBN 978 0 11 753067 6. Price £25.00
No 5	Urban woodland and the benefits for local air quality Published 26 November 1996. ISBN 978 0 11 753191 8. Price £25.00
No 6	Arboricultural practice: present and future Published 1997. ISBN 1 85 112049 1. Price £29.00
No 7	Principles of tree hazard assessment and management Published 21 July 1999. ISBN 978 0 11 753355 4. Price £35.00
No 8	Tree Roots in the Built Environment Published 14 June 2006. ISBN 978 0 11 753620 3. Price £47.00
No 9	Trees in Towns II Published 18 February 2008. ISBN 978 1 85 112889 1. Price £55.00

These can be obtained from The Stationery Office with the exception of Numbers 1 and 3 which are out of print; and number 6 which is available from the Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service.

The Stationery Office publications are available from TSO (The Stationery Office), PO Box 29, Norwich NR3 1GN. Order through the Parliamentary Hotline (Lo-call): 08457 023 474, Fax: 0870 600 5533, Textphone 0870 240 3701, Email: book.orders@tso.co.uk or visit www.tsoshop.co.uk to buy online.

The Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service publication is available from AAIS, Alice Holt Lodge, Wrecclesham, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LH (telephone: 0142 022 022). This organisation provides technical information and advice on amenity trees and has their own range of publications and services.

Preserving trees

We have strong legislation that protects trees and woods in conservation areas, and gives local authorities wide powers to make tree preservation orders (TPO). This protection is similar in many ways to the listed buildings system.

To check whether a tree is protected and to make an application to carry out pruning or felling work, you should contact your local authority. If work to a tree protected by a TPO is refused you may appeal within 28 days of receipt of the decision to the Secretary of State by contacting your local Government Office.

Further information is contained in the leaflet Protected Trees: A Guide to Tree Preservation Procedures. This gives a brief introduction to tree protection procedures and answers some of the most common questions asked by tree owners and the public. This publication is available free of charge from Communities and Local Government Publications, PO Box 236, Wetherby LS23 7NB. Tel: 0870 1226 236, fax: 0870 1226 237, textphone: 0870 1207 405, email: communities@twoten.com. Please quote the product code 04 SCDD 02729 when ordering. Delivery will be 5 to 7 days from receipt of order. A maximum quantity restriction may apply.

More detailed guidance, principally aimed at local authorities, is in Tree Preservation Orders: A Guide to the Law and Good Practice. This is a priced publication available from Communities and Local Government Publications (order details above). The price is £8.00. Payment can be made by credit or debit card, or by cheque or postal order made out to the Department for Communities and Local Government (an invoice can be requested, if required). Delivery will be 5-7 days from receipt of payment.

Local authorities can download a copy of the current Tree Preservation Orders: new regulations contained in the Town and Country Planning (Trees) Regulations 1999.