Conservation and Urban Design Planning - Tree Management

Planning advice, building control and town centre management

We are responsible for the efficient management of trees in Authority ownership within urban and rural environments.

The law protects certain individual and groups of trees. Those trees that have Tree Preservation Orders (TPO's) or are within Conservation Areas are protected under a range of legislation that makes it an offence to carry out any work on those trees without permission from the Local Authority.

Trees that grow in Council owned property or on public open spaces are also protected as they are deemed as Council Property. Anyone willfully damaging these can be prosecuted.

The Authority has its own professional tree maintenance team who carries out all appropriate tree care and maintenance to trees owned by the council.

If you have any queries or would like advice about tree care and maintenance, please use the contact details above.

Some advice for private tree owners

• Always contact the Local Authority to ensure that the trees are not protected by a Tree Preservation Order, planning constraints or that the tree is within a Conservation Area.
• Always employ a suitable trained professional Tree Surgeon, who is covered by Public Liability Insurance. (Always ask for proof).
• Never employ house callers or leaflet droppers claiming to be professional tree surgeons.
• Reputable Tree Surgeons will always have some form of professional identification and qualification proof. Always ask to see it.
• Reputable Tree Surgeons can be found through the Arboricultural Association website, or in the Yellow Pages (www.yell.com) or contact us for further advice.
• We publish advice on a range of matters including through Frequently Asked Questions on the following topics (clicking on the topic of interest to you will take you to more information):-
• Who has responsibility for trees in Stafford Borough?
• Responsibility for my trees and those of my neighbours
• Tree Preservation Orders
• Trees in Conservation Areas
• What we look at when considering proposed developments and their relationship to trees
• Trees believed to be dangerous
• Damage to property alleged to be caused by trees
• Employing tree consultants and contractors
• Looking after your trees
• Problems with high hedges
• Hedgerow removal

Note:
All information contained on this and other pages relating to trees is written for the benefit of tree owners, the general public and amenity groups and answers some of the most common questions relating to trees. It is for guidance only and is not a statement of the law. You should consult a solicitor if you are unsure of your legal rights or obligations.