Ancient tree protection

A Swedish ancient tree protected by law.




The Bowthorpe Oak – one of the largest and most ancient oak trees in the UK.


A dead tree protected by law in Poland.


Elan Valley SSSI


Is your local wood under threat?


Bats are specially protected by law.


Anglo Saxon boundary hedge with ancient pollard oak

• a series of questions you need to consider before taking action
• information on existing forms of protection and
• suggestions for action you can take.

The Ancient Tree Forum and The Woodland Trust receive many requests from people seeking help to prevent damage or loss of a tree they think is important. Owing to limited resources we have to prioritise how much we get involved in individual cases. Our priority is to ancient trees and woods. We get actively involved in those cases that have national significance or which demonstrate a particular failure of the protection system very clearly.

In all cases the response of local people and communities to threats to their trees is vitally important.

Is the tree ancient?

An ancient tree is one that is of interest biologically, aesthetically or culturally because of its age. They will be trees which are old relative to others of the same species.

See FAQs

If you think the tree is ancient contact us with the following information;

• species of tree
• girth measurement taken at approximately 1.3m from the ground
• as exact location of the tree as possible, preferably Ordnance Survey grid reference.
• ideally send us a picture – preferably by email.

Is the tree covered by a Tree Preservation Order or in a Conservation Area? For more information click here

Speak to your local authority Tree Officer. Tell the Tree Officer how much you value the tree and why. Do you value it for its aesthetic, wildlife or historical character or all three? Ask if a proper evaluation of the value of the tree has been undertaken. If no historical or wildlife evaluation has taken place, can a local historian or wildlife group tell you about the heritage value of the tree?

Ask for a second opinion to be obtained from an arborist with experience of ancient trees.


Often ancient trees can be made safe without needing to remove the whole tree.

If the tree is deemed unsafe then the objective should be to take as little action as possible to reduce the risk to acceptable levels. Complete felling is often not necessary and usually a last resort. A dead standing ‘monolith’ can be very useful for wildlife. In some circumstances moving the ‘target’ is possible.


Is the tree or wood covered by a designation?

Work to trees on sites with a designated conservation status such as SSSI/ NNR/ SAC will require prior approval from the relevant agency. If work affects a Scheduled Ancient Monument advice should be sought from English Heritage, CADW, Historic Scotland or Department of Environment NI.

Planning permission

Planning permission overrides TPOs once it has been granted. If you are objecting to a planning application:

• Check the development plan and quote relevant policies in your objection
• Find out who are the local councillors for the area in which the tree is located. Explain your concerns and ask for their help – putting forward the views of local residents and guiding you through the system is part of their role.
• Put your case to the councillors on the local planning authority, planning committee.
• Find people and local organisations, especially local groups of national pressure groups such as CPRE, who may share your concerns and write letters to object to plans.
• Contact the local press
• Contact the town, community or parish council to see if they will object to the proposals.

For further information see our booklet ‘Is your local wood under threat? – ask for a copy from the Woodland Trust or download the pdf


Trees in relation to construction are covered by a British Standard BS 5837 and Tree Work is covered by BS 3998.

Both of these British Standards are currently under review. Ask the Tree Officer to explain how a proposed development meets the requirements of the two Standards.

Have the legal obligations in relation to the tree eg wildlife legislation been thoroughly investigated? For example bats are very strongly protected through the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000)

All bats and their roosts, some birds, fungi, lichens and invertebrates are protected by law. If you are concerned contact the Species Protection Officer at your nearest office of English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage, Countryside Council for Wales or Department of Environment NI.

Important hedgerows are protected under the Hedgerow Regulations (1997). Removal of important hedges requires permission – contact your local authority.