Did you know you could be fined for cutting down a protected tree and damaging the roots of a protected tree or hiring someone to carry this out on your behalf?

Due to their significant contribution certain trees are classed as protected which means they have a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) issued to them. There’s a number of reasons a tree could be protected including preserving the environment in the area, being a part of natural heritage or being an ancient tree.  If a tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) that written consent must be obtained from the council to remove, prune (however minor) or undertake any other form of work to the tree, including any work affecting the tree’s roots such as a construction work close to the tree roots. Applicants need to set out the specific details of the proposed work and the reasons for wishing to do it.

Many people don’t realise the severity of going against a TPO and not obtaining the correct permissions but it is a criminal offence and anyone found guilty of such an offence is liable and in some cases it may be dealt with in the Crown Court where an unlimited fine can be imposed.

Just last year Bracknell Forest Council successfully prosecuted two homeowners and a tree surgeon for illegally cutting down a protected tree. The tree named the Norway Maple tree located at a property in Great Hollands South was protected by a TPO. In July 2020, the tree surgeon pleaded guilty in the Magistrates’ Court to carrying out works to a protected tree contrary to Tree Preservation Order Number 656 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. All relevant parties were fined a total of £9,428 after the Council became aware of the unauthorised works last July. A spokesperson for the Bracknell Forest Council followed the case with the following statement “This court case highlights the importance the council attaches to protected trees which carry high amenity value, and that we will seek, where appropriate, to prosecute in cases of wilful breaches of tree preservation orders.”

Many councils all around the UK take this same stand of importance attached to honouring TPO’s and protecting these trees. As a country we are extremely lucky to have plenty of fantastic natural heritage and green spaces and our borough councils are committed to preserving important environmental features such as protected trees, which makes these areas so special for residents and visitors alike.

As shown in the pictures the tree surgeons had cut off almost all of the branches and foliage, causing “significant damage to a once outwardly healthy tree”. This is just one case of many which all end with similar repercussions. However, other cases can start off a lot more innocently with people not knowing about or knowing of TPO’s and the consequences or completing a simple house extension or construction project in the vicinity of a protected tree which could lead to damage to the tree or more commonly the tree’s roots which is still an offense.

So how can these people avoid causing damage to the roots but still complete their construction project? This is where Cellweb® Tree Root Protection (TRP) comes in. Cellweb® TRP is the only established guaranteed tree root protection system. It is also the only system to have been independently tested and proven to prevent compaction of the sub-soils and roots. Customers have been using the system since 1998 without failure and It is also recommended and adopted for use in root protection areas (RPA’s) by councils all over the UK. Please bare in mind that when installing Cellweb® in a protected area you do still need to seek permission from the local council for the works to be approved.

So what is Cellweb® Tree Root Protection (TRP)? Cellweb®TRP is the only cellular confinement system specifically designed and sold for tree root protection applications. The unique cell size, cell depth and cell wall perforations combine to create the market leading tree root protection system.

Cellweb®TRP is a no-dig solution that ensures that the loads placed upon it are laterally dissipated rather than transferred to the soil and roots below. The walls of the cells are perforated and when combined with the infill of clean angular stone, enable free movement of water and oxygen, ensuring that nutrient supplies to the tree roots are maintained. Using the Cellweb®TRP no-dig solution within the root protection area (RPA) can reduce sub base depths by up to 50%, providing further cost savings. Cellweb® TRP also effectively prevents surface rutting; optimising long term performance and aesthetics of the final surface. Furthermore Cellweb® Tree Root Protection System complies with BS5837:2012, APN 12 and tree preservation order (TPO) guidelines.

Benefits of using Cellweb®TRP:

• The only guaranteed cellular confinement system on the market
• Independently tested
• No dig solution
• Prevents sub soil compaction
• Complies with BS:5837:2012, Tree Preservation Orders (TPO’s) and APN 12
• 100% success rate
• Full technical support from our Tree Root Protection Team
• Technical Recommendations from qualified Civil Engineers
• Continued water permeation and gaseous exchange
• Simple to install
• Educational Seminars performed by Civil Engineers available

So, if you have a construction project which requires you to work close by to the trees always check for a TPO and if there is a protected tree in the vicinity of your project then get in touch with Geosynthetics Ltd today for further assistance. If you would like more information or for site specific project design information please call our sales department on 01455 617139 or email sales@geosyn.co.uk.