In many cases you will not need permission to cut down or prune your trees. However, a formal application is required if the tree is:
- protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO)
- protected by a condition of a planning permission
- within a conservation area. In this case you must give six weeks written notice of your intention to carry out the work
To apply for permission to carry out tree works please use the appropriate form on the Scottish Government's ePlanning portal.
If the work involves a number of tree removals then felling permission should be sought from Scottish Forestry.
A list of extant tree preservation orders is available. It is intended that orders will be mapped online and information will be linked here when it becomes available. In the meantime, please note that orders are often made prior to development taking place and therefore often include trees at addresses in the wider vicinity of the address in the TPO. If you are in any doubt or wish to enquire regarding planning conditions or trees in conservation areas, please contact our countryside officer using our online enquiry form.