Protected Trees
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is responsible for protecting trees within the National Park. The following information is designed to assist anyone who has queries on protected tree issues in the National Park. It does not, however, replace the need for personal contact and advice. You can get in touch with the Authority using the details in the contacts section below. This information is for guidance and is not an authoritative statement of law.
Trees are protected when they:
1. have a Tree Preservation Order on them
2. are in a Conservation Area
3. are subject to a planning condition.
Additional restrictions may apply if you are intending to fell more than 5m3 of wood in any one calendar quarter. If this is the case, then you need to contact the Forestry Commission as well as the Authority (contact details below).
You can view all Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Area Designations on our Protected Trees Map page.
Please note, however, that the information shown on these maps in no way replaces the need for contact with the Authority's Trees & Woodland Team if you are considering carrying out any work on trees and woodlands within the National Park. Full details of the designations shown on the maps are available to view at the Authority offices in Grassington and these should be consulted before any work is carried out.
If you intend to carry out any work on protected trees within the National Park you will need to submit an application to carry out works to protected trees. You can download the relevant form from our Document Library.
- Application form to carry out works to Protected Trees (opens Document Library)
Tree Preservation Orders
A Tree Preservation Order is an order made by the local authority, in this case the National Park Authority, on a tree or number of trees that makes it an offence to carry out any work, e.g. cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or wilfully destroy a protected tree, without the Authority’s consent.
To download more information on protected trees click on the link below.
- Protected Trees Information (opens Document Library)
Conservation Areas
Conservation Areas are “areas of special architectural or historical interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance”. Conservation Areas are designated by the National Park Authority and are designed to protect buildings and landscape features including trees which contribute to the special character of the area. Trees in Conservation Areas that are already protected by a Tree Preservation Order are subject to the normal tree preservation order controls (see information above on Tree Preservation Orders). Anyone proposing to cut down or carry out work on a tree in a Conservation Area is required to give the National Park Authority six weeks’ prior notice. This allows the National Park Authority to consider whether a Tree Preservation Order should be made in respect of the tree. To undertake work to a tree in a Conservation Area without going through the proper procedure will constitute an offence in the same way as a tree protected by a Tree Preservation Order.
To download more information on trees in Conservation Areas click on the link below.
- Trees in Conservation Areas (opens Document Library)
Planning Conditions
When a planning application is approved conditions may be attached to the approval in order to protect existing trees during the implementation of the development and beyond. Examples of damage that could occur during the implementation of the planning permission are cutting of the roots during excavation, soil compaction by vehicles or materials, raising or lowering of soil levels, fires, contact with plant equipment, spillage of chemicals etc. When granting planning permission the National Park Authority may consider that it is appropriate to impose conditions that would have the effect of protecting the trees e.g. requiring the erection of protective fencing around the trees during the course of the development or restricting works that would adversely affect them.
To download more information on Trees and Planning click on the link below.
- Trees and Planning (opens Document Library)
Contact details
Trees and Woodland Team
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Colvend
Grassington
Skipton
North Yorkshire
BD23 5LB
0870 1 666333
Forestry Commission
Yorkshire and the Humber Conservancy
Wheldrake Lane
Crockey Hill
York
YO19 4FF
01904 448778
