Protected trees
Use this page to check whether a tree is protected and find out when you need to tell us before carrying out work.
You may need our written consent, or you may need to give us notice, before you work on a protected tree, woodland or hedgerow.
Tree preservation orders
There are more than 400 Tree Preservation Orders protecting thousands of trees in Swindon.
A Tree Preservation Order is made by the council to protect specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands. We do this when the trees are important to the local area.
You must get our written consent before you carry out work on a tree protected by a Tree Preservation Order.
This includes:
- cutting down
- topping
- lopping
- uprooting
- wilful damage
- wilful destruction
Trees in conservation areas
Trees in conservation areas are protected if the stem is more than 75mm wide when measured 1.5 metres above ground level.
You must give us prior notice before carrying out the same types of work listed above.
Check if a tree is protected
You can use our online tree preservation order map.
You can also view conservation areas on the map. Select "Conservation Areas EN10" from the Local Plan category.
You must give us notice and complete an application form if you plan to carry out work on trees or woodland covered by a Tree Preservation Order.
You do not need consent if a tree is dead or immediately dangerous. You should still be prepared to either:
- give us five days' notice
- show that the work is exempt
It is a criminal offence to carry out work on a protected tree without authorisation.
If convicted in the magistrates' court, you may be fined up to £20,000.
In serious cases, you may be tried in the Crown Court. If convicted, you may receive an unlimited fine.
Apply to carry out work
You must give us notice if you plan to carry out work on trees, hedges or woodland that are either:
- covered by a Tree Preservation Order
- in a conservation area
Complete the online tree works application form on the Planning Portal.
Get a copy of a Tree Preservation Order
You can buy a copy of a specific Tree Preservation Order for £36.
Complete the online request form on our planning document copies and charges page.
You can also inspect a Tree Preservation Order free of charge at the council offices. You must arrange this with us first.
Email arboriculture@swindon.gov.uk and include the location or reference number.
Other statutory tree controls
Planning conditions
Trees and landscape issues can also be controlled by planning conditions.
Planning conditions can require that a tree or group of trees are kept and protected. This is especially useful during construction, when trees and other vegetation are more likely to be damaged.
You can check whether planning conditions affect trees or hedges using the planning public access system.
Felling licences
You may still need a felling licence from the Forestry Commission if a tree is not:
- covered by a Tree Preservation Order
- in a conservation area
It is an offence to fell trees without a licence unless an exemption applies.
Exceptions may apply to:
- a maximum timber volume of 5 cubic metres
- trees in a garden
- trees in a churchyard
- trees in a public open space
- trees in an orchard
For more information, read the tree felling overview on GOV.UK.
Hedgerows
It is against the law to remove most countryside hedgerows without permission.
You may not need consent to remove a hedgerow if it is either:
- shorter than 20 metres
- in or bordering a garden
For more information, read the countryside hedgerows regulation and management guidance on GOV.UK.
Nesting birds
You must not carry out work that could harm nesting birds or destroy their nests.
Nesting birds are usually found during the main nesting and breeding season, from 1 March to 31 August.
The police enforce breaches of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
For more information, visit the Wiltshire Police wildlife crime page.
Advice and support
For enquiries about Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas, email arboriculture@swindon.gov.uk.