Woodland TPO

[slack ma girdle]

Most tree officers are reasonable,  i would speak to them, and arrange a site visit. If you are not trying to hide anything,  and the trees have only been pruned i wouldn't be overly worried. Tree officers in my experience tend to get afficious when you are trying to hide things.

[maybelateron]

You haven't said how much you pruned the trees. If you haven't taken anything more than 2 inch diameter off, and haven't climbed up a large tree and reduced the height  of it I am sure your fears are ill founded.

One of our local tree officers made it clear to me when I used to look after the grounds and trees of the former "county asylum" which was covered by a blanket TPO, that he did not feel I needed to tell him every time I needed to do minor pruning with a handsaw - he was already drowning in paperwork. As has been said earlier on, most tree officers are pretty sensible and it is more when people blatantly and wilfully disregard the rules that they have to take action. Sleep well!

[Novicegardener101]

1 minute ago, maybelateron said:

You haven't said how much you pruned the trees. If you haven't taken anything more than 2 inch diameter off, and haven't climbed up a large tree and reduced the height  of it I am sure your fears are ill founded.

One of our local tree officers made it clear to me when I used to look after the grounds and trees of the former "county asylum" which was covered by a blanket TPO, that he did not feel I needed to tell him every time I needed to do minor pruning with a handsaw - he was already drowning in paperwork. As has been said earlier on, most tree officers are pretty sensible and it is more when people blatantly and wilfully disregard the rules that they have to take action. Sleep well!

That’s reassuring! I’m so out of my depth with all of this! Thank you for your time.
 

Can confirm height not reduced and I used a small cheap hand scissor type tool which would struggle with 2 inches, was less than this. The tree was beginning to grow out horizontally and had 90° bends in branches! 

[Kylus Sylvestris]

Irrespective of how affable the local tree officer might be, if you are cutting trees covered by a woodland TPO without consent, you are breaking the law. Of course you need to be aware of the TPO boundary, type of Order etc etc. In any case, I would advise caution before accepting any advice about whats' right/wrong... If part of your property now falls within an area designated "woodland" under a TPO then I should jolly well find out a few details. Particularly if you have a long garden! Perhaps the Local Authority won't give a shit if you cut some tree bits on your cad BUT you should understand the ramifications. Maybe you could start a dialogue with the LPA by asking whether the TPO should be reviewed? As it may not be entirely palatable to have garden space included in a woodland Order.  The fact that the Tree Officer doesn't mind a bit of pruning is no defence should the operations become subject to scrutiny!!! 

[daltontrees]

On 04/06/2023 at 15:13, kevinjohnsonmbe said:

If you were to indicate a geographic region you might get someone nearby to take it on.

With the added advantage of knowing which laws apply to the situation🙄

[Novicegardener101]

On 13/06/2023 at 04:59, Kylus Sylvestris said:

Irrespective of how affable the local tree officer might be, if you are cutting trees covered by a woodland TPO without consent, you are breaking the law. Of course you need to be aware of the TPO boundary, type of Order etc etc. In any case, I would advise caution before accepting any advice about whats' right/wrong... If part of your property now falls within an area designated "woodland" under a TPO then I should jolly well find out a few details. Particularly if you have a long garden! Perhaps the Local Authority won't give a shit if you cut some tree bits on your cad BUT you should understand the ramifications. Maybe you could start a dialogue with the LPA by asking whether the TPO should be reviewed? As it may not be entirely palatable to have garden space included in a woodland Order.  The fact that the Tree Officer doesn't mind a bit of pruning is no defence should the operations become subject to scrutiny!!! 

I appreciate your input. This was all inadvertent and I have ceased any further garden work until I’ve received clarity, although I’ve not received any further clarity since my email a couple of weeks ago. 
 

The garden is not long at all, but an area is marked as woodland on the overlay, but is certainly no longer physically woodland (it is now gardens, paved and lawned, with none of the named species in the TPO). Since the TPO multiple houses have been built and it appears the woodland boundary has changed to accommodate gardens, but this has not been reflected on the TPO. 
 

Im trying to do right but am starting to panic. I’ve openly admitted my mistake so can only imagine it will come under scrutiny  

Edited June 14, 2023 by Novicegardener101

[Novicegardener101]

On 13/06/2023 at 08:17, daltontrees said:

With the added advantage of knowing which laws apply to the situation🙄

Sorry, I have since provided this information - it’s England. Not comfortable being much more specific than that. 

[Kylus Sylvestris]

On 14/06/2023 at 18:16, Novicegardener101 said:

Im trying to do right but am starting to panic. I’ve openly admitted my mistake so can only imagine it will come under scrutiny  

Sorry if I panicked you further. My tone was one of frustration against the LPA as much as anything. The TPO should have been modified or replaced soon after the development was completed. I sympathise with your situation. But I wouldn't worry too much. You've done the right thing coming clean and touching base with them. If I were you I'd chase them up - perhaps try and find the Tree Officers direct line/email. 

[daltontrees]

Summary of advice. Come clean and (formally) request a revisal of the TPO.