Homeowners could be fined £20k for cutting garden trees
As more Brits dust off the tools and tidy up their gardens this spring, experts say thousands may unknowingly be breaking the law simply by cutting back or removing trees in their own backyard.
According to home experts at My Home Improvements, many people don't realise that trees in residential gardens may be protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).
It means that if you cut down, lop, damage, or destroy a protected tree without permission, it could result in criminal prosecution and a fine of up to £20,000 in a magistrates' court.
Mr Fielding, 51, didn't realise that certain trees – even if its in your garden – can be protected.
'It was blocking the light in the conservatory and leaning over the fence,' he explained.
'So I gave it a proper cut.'
But soon after he received a letter from the local council telling him the tree was protected and that he may have breached the order by cutting back too much.
'I didn't even know such a thing existed. I thought trees in your own garden were your responsibility,' Mr Fielding continued.
'I was shocked to learn I could be fined thousands.'
Plants that could damage the value of your home
What is a Tree Preservation Order?
A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is a legal protection issued by your local council to prevent important trees from being cut, pruned, damaged or removed without consent.
These orders apply to trees that have environmental, historical or aesthetic value and yes, even if they're on your private property.
Failing to get approval before carrying out work on a protected tree is a criminal offence.
'The trouble is, most homeowners have no idea their tree is protected,' says Sophie Willoughby, a gardening expert who was contacted by My Home Improvements.
'It's easy to think you're just doing routine garden work, but one snip too many and you could face a hefty fine,' Sophie explains.
'Councils take it very seriously and so they should, because mature trees are crucial for wildlife and air quality.'
How to avoid a £20,000 fine
To help homeowners avoid legal trouble this gardening season, My Home Improvements has shared some simple but important advice to keep things safe and legal in your garden.
Check with your council – before cutting or trimming any large trees, contact your local authority to find out if there's a TPO in place.
Don't assume it's okay just because it's in your garden
Get written permission – if a tree is protected, you must apply for permission to do any work on it.
Recommended reading:
Take photos before you prune – this helps if there's any dispute over what was done.
Use a professional tree surgeon
A spokesperson from My Home Improvements, added: 'Before you pick up the saw or shears, take a moment to check your tree isn't protected.
"Councils don't issue TPOs lightly and breaching one can land you in legal trouble.
'Whether you're trimming, pruning or removing, always ask first, as it's a simple step that could save you £20,000 and a trip to court.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits told to never put one banned item in garden bins as you could face punishment
Experts are warning households to be extra careful when it comes to what they're putting in their green bins, as many may be unknowingly flouting the rules UK households are being urged to think twice before chucking garden waste into their green bins, as experts reveal one common blunder could be throwing a spanner in the works of recycling systems across the country. According to My Home Improvements, an increasing number of households are unwittingly fouling up their green waste collections with soil, a material many assume is safe, but is actually prohibited by most local authorities. While it might seem innocuous, soil is too heavy, tricky to process, and often riddled with pests or diseases that can spoil entire batches of compost. "It's one of the most common mistakes we see," remarked a spokesperson from My Home Improvements, adding that "soil might look natural, but it causes major issues for councils trying to turn garden waste into compost. Even a little bit can ruin a whole batch". This comes after the 'UK's most dangerous plant' left a toddler in A&E with second-degree burns. Instead, contaminated collections often end up being dispatched to landfill, piling on costs for councils and wreaking havoc on the environment. The alert comes as summer gardening peaks, with numerous gardeners busy clearing flower beds, repotting plants, or revamping their outdoor spaces. Residents are now encouraged to check what can and can't go in their green bin via their local council's website and to offload soil through appropriate avenues such as household waste recycling centres. However, it's not just soil you need to keep an eye on, reports the Express. Other forbidden items include: Japanese knotweed; food waste; plastic bags and plant pots; pet waste; timber; rubble; and treated wood. Tossing any of these into your garden bin could result in your waste being left uncollected, or worse, a fine. Experts suggest checking your council's garden waste guide, as every local authority has different rules. In addition to this, using a compost heap and bagging things separately can help to avoid any issues too. The spokesperson added: "Garden bins are not a catch-all for anything green. What feels natural to toss may be harmful to the environment, your community, or the composting process. "If you're unsure, always double-check before you throw something away. The five minutes it takes to look it up could save you a £400 fine and a big headache down the line."
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Households with trees in their home face risk of £20,000 fine this summer
There are strict laws in place surrounding the cutting down or trimming of trees in your garden - and many people could be falling foul of the rules without even realising it UK households with trees in their gardens could be slapped with a hefty £20,000 fine this August. This comes after Martin Fielding from Stockport, who believed he was simply trimming a "regular tree", received a shocking letter from the council. Experts are now warning that many UK households may not realise that trees in residential gardens can be protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). This means that if you cut down, lop, damage or destroy a protected tree without permission, you could face criminal prosecution and a fine of up to £20,000 in a magistrates' court. Mr Fielding, 51, said: "It was blocking the light in the conservatory and leaning over the fence. So I gave it a proper cut. I didn't even know such a thing existed. I thought trees in your own garden were your responsibility," Mr Fielding continued. "I was shocked to learn I could be fined thousands." Sophie Willoughby, a gardening expert who was contacted by My Home Improvements, explained: "The trouble is, most homeowners have no idea their tree is protected. It's easy to think you're just doing routine garden work, but one snip too many and you could face a hefty fine. "Councils take it very seriously and so they should, because mature trees are crucial for wildlife and air quality," she added. So, check with your council - before cutting or trimming any large trees, contact your local authority to find out if there's a TPO in place. Don't take it for granted that it's alright just because it's in your garden and get written permission – if a tree is protected, you must apply for permission to do any work on it, reports Birmingham Mail. A spokesperson from My Home Improvements, advised: "Before you pick up the saw or shears, take a moment to check your tree isn't protected. Councils don't issue TPOs lightly and breaching one can land you in legal trouble." They added: "Whether you're trimming, pruning or removing, always ask first, as it's a simple step that could save you £20,000 and a trip to court." Gardening during the summer months is an important task. If left on the side, the more it accumulates, the more time it will take from your busy schedules to clear up. Still, it's important to double-check with your local council before undertaking any job that may require more than just chopping a few leaves.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Look out for 'one of the rarest' UK coins ever struck worth £1,000
This coin must feature a specific error to make it especially valuable An expert has urged Brits to keep an eye out for 'one of the rarest' UK coins ever produced. This highly-sought after two pence piece could be worth as much as £1,000 to collectors. The coin is still legal tender as it was minted in 1983. However, it must bear a specific error to be especially valuable. The minting error can be found on the coin's reverse side (tail side) if it has the inscription "new pence" instead of the standard "two pence". This phrasing was typical post-decimalisation but should have been changed in 1982. In a video uploaded to social media platform TikTok, an expert known as the Coin Collecting Wizard, explained more. He said: 'The 1983 'new pence' 2p coin is one of the rarest decimal coins ever struck, worth over £1,000 to collectors. In 1983 the Royal Mint had already changed the reverse legend [words written on a coin] from 'new pence' to 'two pence' back in 1982. "However, a small number of 2p coins dated 1983 were accidentally struck with the old 'new pence' inscription.' But he warned that these coins will only be in circulation if someone opened a special collector set. He continued: 'These coins were not issued for general circulation and are believed to have been included only in a few special collector set making them extremely scarce. 'If you find one with the date 1983 and the words 'new pence' rather than 'two pence' you may be holding a coin worth a four figure sum. Just don't forget that it is only the year 1983 and it must say' new pence' instead of 'two pence'. 'If you follow these simple rules it will help. Good luck you're going to need it.' As stated on the Royal Mint's website: "In 1983 a small number of 2p coins were mistakenly struck with the wording 'new pence' on the reverse. These coins were produced to brilliant uncirculated quality - a standard higher than ordinary circulating coins - and were included in special sets intended for collectors. "Since there are relatively few coins with the date 1983 and the inscription 'new pence' in circulation, they may well have a value higher than face value to a collector. "The Royal Mint is, however, unable to comment on the value of any individual coin and we would recommend that you should consult a coin dealer." At the time of reporting, an example of the 1983 new pence coin could be found on eBay for £998.58, and another for £2,499.
