In short
Yes, but for most work you have to tell the council first. Trees in a conservation area are protected by section 211 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which requires six weeks' notice before carrying out the work. The council can let it go ahead sooner, or make a Tree Preservation Order to protect the tree.
This is a job for our Pruning & Crown Reduction service.
Why notice is needed
The six-week notice period gives the council a chance to consider whether the tree should have its own Tree Preservation Order. If it decides not to make one, the work can go ahead once the six weeks are up, or earlier if the council says so.
What the council can do
- Make a Tree Preservation Order if it thinks the tree is worth protecting.
- Tell you it will not make an Order, so the work can go ahead.
- Let the six weeks run out, after which the work can go ahead.
Already protected by an Order?
If a tree in a conservation area already has a Tree Preservation Order, the Order applies and you need the council's consent instead.
What we do
We describe the work clearly enough for the notice: which tree, what reduction or thinning, and why. See pruning and crown reduction.