Homeowners with trees could face fines for just one simple mistake

A TPO is a rule in the UK made by local councils to safeguard specific trees or groups of trees

Homeowners with trees could face fines for just one simple mistake
Homeowners with trees could face fines for just one simple mistake

If you have trees at your garden, you could also face a fine due to a single mistake.

As spring arrives, many people start working in their gardens and experts are reminding them that many trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), which people often don’t know about.

If someone cuts, trims or damages these trees without permission, they could be fined up to £20,000.

What is TPO?

A TPO is a rule in the UK made by local councils to safeguard specific trees or groups of trees and woodland areas.

It stops people from cutting down, damaging, or destroying those trees on purpose without permission.

In Scotland, TPOs can also protect trees that are historically or culturally important.

If you want to do any kind of work on it like trimming, cutting branches or any kind of maintenance work, you must first get permission from your local council.

The Woodland Trust said in a statement, "Failure to obtain permission before carrying out work on a protected tree can result in prosecution, with fines of up to £20,000 in a magistrates’ court."

The statement further added, "Serious cases may be taken to trial in the crown court and offenders could face an unlimited fine if convicted."

Turkey cracks down on military officers over alleged links to 2016 coup bid
Turkey cracks down on military officers over alleged links to 2016 coup bid
Prosecutors in Turkey have issued arrest warrants for 63 active-duty military personnel over 2016 coup attempt
How simple coffee run can be too political in South Korea?
How simple coffee run can be too political in South Korea?
South Koreans are known for being reserved about their political views in public as they strive for neutral status
Kermit the Frog shares key advice at University of Maryland’s graduation
Kermit the Frog shares key advice at University of Maryland’s graduation
Kermit the Frog was created by a University of Maryland's home economics graduate Jim Henson in 1955
France arrests 55 men affiliated with online paedophile ring
France arrests 55 men affiliated with online paedophile ring
Telegram has receive backlash for the platform's unsuccessful efforts to maintain abusive content against minors
Harvard barred from enrolling foreign students under Trump administration ruling
Harvard barred from enrolling foreign students under Trump administration ruling
The Trump administration has given Harvard University 72 hours to comply with it's demands
Major signs you’re emotionally exhausted: Discover simple ways to fight back
Major signs you’re emotionally exhausted: Discover simple ways to fight back
Emotional exhaustion is a state of chronic emotional drain that can harm your mental and physical health
Hardest Geezer Russ finishes 73-day New Zealand run challenge with record time
Hardest Geezer Russ finishes 73-day New Zealand run challenge with record time
Russ Cook, who already ran across Africa in 352 days and has now finished running the entire length of New Zealand
San Diego plane crash: Fires erupt as plane hits 15 homes, multiple feared dead
San Diego plane crash: Fires erupt as plane hits 15 homes, multiple feared dead
At least 100 local residents were forced to leave their homes at an evacuation center
Barron Trump’s height earns playful shoutout from dad during Florida Gators celebration
Barron Trump’s height earns playful shoutout from dad during Florida Gators celebration
Barron Trump's height is 6 feet 9 inches, making him taller than his father who is 6 feet 3 inches tall
Nike’s price boost hits fans this June: Here’s what you need to know
Nike’s price boost hits fans this June: Here’s what you need to know
Nike also said that it will start selling its products directly on Amazon in the US again for the first time since 2019
Discover top 10 US beaches for 2025 as Cooper's Beach wins crown
Discover top 10 US beaches for 2025 as Cooper's Beach wins crown
Dr. Beach unveils names of the top 10 best beaches in the United States
UK to consider chemical castration for sex offenders amid prison overcrowding
UK to consider chemical castration for sex offenders amid prison overcrowding
An independent sentencing review has put forward different ways to tackle overcrowding in UK prisons