Tree preservation order

My son moved into his new house yesterday. Built in the 1990's, it's got a nice back garden with a very high laurel hedge or high wall all round, so very private, and a huge tree in the middle of the lawn. This has a tree preservation order on it, but we don't know why-it's not very visible from anywhere but their own back garden, and casts so much shade that we're finding it hard to find a spot for a little blowaway for a few tomato plants. There are many other trees around in the borders and he would very much like to remove this one(which would be a shame obviously) but we don't know whether it's ever going to be possible. Does anyone have any experience with tpo's? Or know why this particular conifer might have one? Is it a rare type of tree?

 

The tree must predate the house, if that was built in the 1990s - perhaps it was growing in an earlier, larger garden? It looks a handsome specimen and most likely the TPO was created to protect it from the 1990s development, or even before that. Did this not come up as part of the property search when he was buying the house? Anyway, what he needs to do now is contact his local council's Tree Officer. They will talk through the possibilities, even if the tree has to stay they may be prepared to let it be pruned to let in more light, but this will need to be done in consultation with them and by a proper tree surgeon.

 

Be very very careful.
Do not touch it until you have got the necessary written permission.
The fine could be huge if you do anything to it ...knowing it has a legal tree preservation order on it you cannot even plead ignorance.
It looks to be a fine old specimen...possibly planted donkeys years ago.
The council will be able to tell you exactly what conifer it is.

It is possible to have tree preservation orders removed...but it will not be easy....will be lengthy.... and usually is only granted if the tree is unstable, rotten or unsafe.

Seems such a pity to buy a home with a specimen tree and not be happy with that tree from day one.

 

Thanks both, he did know about the tpo before he bought it, and it is a lovely specimen. The garden next door has 4 of them so I expect you are right @Clare G. He loves the garden as it is anyway, and I'll let him know that maybe a bit more pruning with the permission of the council might be best. To me, there is a branch just perfect for a swing for his 3 yr old

 

It's not just a fine, you can also be jailed for unauthorised works to protected trees (or was the case when I studied planning).

I think you might need to wait for the tree to reach the end of its natural life before it can be removed, what species is it?

I don't believe that can be included as a planning condition, only perhaps that the works need to be carried out in accordance with the appropriate standards, and I've previously confirmed this with my LPA.

 

It looks like a beauty of a Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris).

There are all kinds of regulations regarding TPOs and only your local authority can answer what is applicable to the specific tree.... and prepare for a long wait for answers.

 

I doubt very much that would be allowed.
Conifers are different from other trees. If a branch is cut off it will not re grow.
This stately tree already has a long bare trunk.
To take any more branches off will leave it looking mis shapen and top heavy.
You are fortunate the canopy is already really high from the ground.

Stick to putting a wonderful swing on it for your grandchild.
Enjoy it.

 

What a beautiful tree; just look at those markings on the trunk! I would love to have a tree like that nearby. It looks like a Scots Pine to me too. Mature native trees like this one are really valuable to nature and the local ecosystem.

 

I sympathise being that it is an evergreen, so even in winter you dont get respite from the shade, but that was pretty evident when he bought the house.
It will also take lots of water out of the ground perhaps making the garden not a great growing space.

They do it all the time around here, take over woodland for building houses, leave a few of the mature trees intact, (mainly to ease their conscience and not cause too much uproar), call the area something along the lines of "bluebell woods" or similar and then say they are "Considerate Contractors".

 

Lol @ARMANDII! Apparently it's a red cedar, son looked it up. He's now becoming very fond of it!
Having moved in a week ago with all sorts of ideas ( new carpets,new lighting, new curtains etc) he's realised all these things cost a LOT of money-who would have thought it! And is now thinking the carpets are fine, the curtains they can live with, and apart from a low hanging chandelier the lights are ok. The tree stays

 

The bark certainly looks right for Thuja plicata.
Fits better than Pinus sylvestris.

http://website-wild3820.s3-website-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Photos/Thuja_plicata_Bark.jpg

 

Looks like a Western red Cedar to me, for sure. TPOs are usually placed on tree with historical, cultural, financial or amenity (inc. landcape / treescape) value. Contacting the tree officer would be your best bet for finding out why this tree has been chosen.