Novicegardener101

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

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

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!

It would seem that way, but given that it hasn’t been amended, my concern is that technically I could be in breach of it. I’m very good at catastrophizing, as you may have noticed. I’m just hoping the council can apply some what I think is common sense and appreciate my openness. I imagine so, multiple properties were developed with permission in the 90s. The TPO was overlayed on the new land layout in the 00’s but there was no amendment to the TPO. The woodland still exists, just not in the shape or size it once did, the old woodland TPO footprint overlays a lot of gardens, which are very much not woodland and are of a typical lawn style. Really appreciate your time and insights.

I can only assume so, 99% sure. The TPO is from the 80s and part of the woodland has been developed on in the 90s. What it seems a corner of woodland, is now a typical fenced off garden, with the remaining woodland behind the fence. The garden is very much not woodland and doesn’t seem to have any of the 3 species named in the TPO. Edit: But apparently the woodland TPO designation can include any tree in that area, even new trees. It’s very confusing.

Appreciate your time, thank you. Who would I approach? A local arborist? None of this has been intentional, are councils pretty strict and unforgiving or can they be reasonable with these things?

Sorry I have just replied below but didn’t quote, also a novice forum user. England.

England. I’m hesitant to be more specific than that, if that’s okay.

First let me start by saying for my naivety, I’m ashamed and scared of the repercussions. Not highlighted during the conveyancing stage, I’ve recently discovered that an old (pre 1990) Woodland TPO overlaps my now garden (property built 10 years later). I have now seen a copy of the TPO and it is for a woodland area (which overlaps half of my garden, which is lawn, block paving and some planting) along with three named species of tree. My concern is that I may have inadvertently breached this TPO by pruning a couple of trees/bushes in the garden (they do not seem to be of the named species). There is still woodland to the rear, outside the fence, but the garden, I think obviously, is not. It seems like the TPO does not reflect the current use of the land. Perhaps development superseded it? Some of the area is still woodland, but part of it now spans multiple garden, none resembling woodland. I have admitted this error and tried to seek clarity on the councils position but have not had much help yet. Does it sound like I should be worried about prosecution? I just thought I was doing some general garden maintenance. We know trees to the rear (overhanging) are protected and are seeking permission for works to those - I had no idea the existence/scope of the TPO and am now horrified. Please help and reassure me (if you can!)