Tree preservation orders and subsidence risk: a short introduction for homeowners and buyers

A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) protects trees. It also sits in the same conversation as roots, clay soils, and neighbour disputes when movement appears. Separate planning law from civil liability and insurance questions.

If you want to prune or remove a protected tree

You normally need local authority consent. Unauthorised work can be an offence. If subsidence is suspected, insurers and surveyors may still be involved. Your council’s tree officer is the right first port for process questions.

Buyers

Ask whether mature trees sit close to shallow foundations on shrinkable soils. Your surveyor comments. Your conveyancer reads title and past correspondence.

General information only, not legal advice.

Property Passport UK

Use Property Passport UK to organise Documents, Media, Tasks, Events, and Flags for a Property, and to share a Public Passport when you want buyers or permitted Stakeholders to see selected facts without exposing private Documents.