What if I want to work on a protected tree but don’t need a felling licence?
Write to the local planning authority to seek permission, specifying the trees, what you want to do and why. It is important that you specify the work you wish to carry out clearly, especially pruning operation’s. In setting out your reasons for a proposal, it is also helpful if you can provide evidence to support your case (such as a professional report into the health of the tree, or in cases of alleged subsidence a professional report on ground movement at the site). You may find it helpful to consult a tree surgeon to clarify what you need to do. The Arboriculture Association has a list of approved tree surgery contractors (telephone 01794 368717 or visit www.trees.org.uk). 13 Do I always need the planning authority’s permission to work on a protected tree? Yes, except for: 1) cutting down trees in accordance with one of the Forestry Commission’s grant schemes, or where the Commission has granted a felling licence – see question 11; 2) cutting down or cutting back a tree: • which i
