Is Cordyline a tree which can be TPO'd ?

[Dan Maynard]

As above, have a customer with Cordyline Australis in a conservation area which she would like removed. I'm thinking if it's not a tree then it can't have a TPO therefore no need to do a S211 notification.

 

Searching for cordyline or palm in the planning brings up almost no results in our area so either nobody applies, they rarely reach the 75mm at 1.5m limit, or they are not trees.

[dangb93]

If it's over 75mm at 1.5m limit and in a conservation area, I would pop a notification in, wait six weeks and then go and do it. You can check if its got a TPO on the councils online TPO map.

[Kylus Sylvestris]

Are PALMS considered to be TREES?

This is not a straightforward question as ‘TREE’ is not a scientific term.  Even the Courts have wrestled with this - where it has been determined that a tree is anything one would ordinarily call a tree, however, that was in relation to plant age (of typical native woodland ‘trees’) rather than scientific classification.  And the scientific community hasn’t always agreed either way.  In the same sense there is no scientific definition of ‘shrub’, which can include ‘tree’ species less than 5-10m in height. 

In broad terms one might consider ‘trees’ a source of useable timber, which palms are not as they don’t grow annual rings or produce wood. Although, the fact that palms are regularly called 'palm trees' adds confusion. 

In my opinion having worked with trees for over 30 years, I haven’t ever considered palms to be ‘trees’. But I understand the confusion and accept there will be contrary points of view.... and I do know of TPO'd cordylines in the SW.

 

[Dan Maynard]

On 15/09/2023 at 07:35, Kylus Sylvestris said:

In my opinion having worked with trees for over 30 years, I haven’t ever considered palms to be ‘trees’. But I understand the confusion and accept there will be contrary points of view.... and I do know of TPO'd cordylines in the SW.

Hmm that's the thing, if they can't have a TPO then it's just a waste of everyone's time doing the paperwork - but if there are cordylines with TPO then logically I guess we should give the council a chance to decide.