H) Tree preservation orders (T.P.O.’s) and Conservation areas

Before planning work, it is advisable to check with your local authority (planning department) whether any constraints exist to prevent you working on your tree/s.

T.P.O’s can apply to a single tree, group of trees or a woodland and exist to prevent unauthorised work on the tree. If work is carried out without permission, the fines are high and shared between the owner and the contractors responsible for cutting the tree!

All trees above a certain size are protected within conservation areas.  If you intend to fell or even prune trees in a conservation area, you need to give 6 weeks notice to your local authority.

In any event, Down to Earth are happy to advise and help you through this process and liaise with the authorities on your behalf.

I) Disposal of arisings

Felling or pruning work generates a large amount of brushwood, timber and leaves.  Clearance/disposal of these arisings often forms a major part of the work we do.

Please think carefully about how you would like to dispose of such material when considering the following methods

• Burning
  Requires space, may upset the neighbours, less costly, may not be allowed (smokeless zone)

• Stacking on site
  Room needed, good for wildlife habitat, firewood/kindling, kinder to the environment.

• Chipping
  Can be used for paths, mulching of flower beds, takes up little space, environmentally friendly.

• Removal from site
  Most costly, least environmentally friendly, site free of arisings on completion.

Find out more about Disposal of arisings