How to Check for Tree Preservation Orders

There are several ways to find out whether a tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order. Which method suits you depends on how quickly you need an answer and how certain you need to be.

Five ways to check

Using TPO Search

1. Go to the TPO Search homepage
2. Enter the postcode of the property or area you want to check
3. Results appear on an interactive map showing TPOs within 200m of the postcode centroid
4. Click any marker to see the TPO reference, species, date made, and any linked documents
5. Pan and zoom to explore the wider area

TPO Search covers over 170 planning authorities. If your area is not yet covered, the map will tell you — and you can check directly with your council instead.

Contacting the tree officer

Every local planning authority has a tree officer (sometimes called an arboricultural officer). They can tell you definitively whether a specific tree has a TPO. Call or email your council's planning department and ask to speak to the tree officer. Be ready to describe the tree's location — an address and rough position in the garden or street is usually enough.

Local land charges search

A local land charges search (LLC1) is a formal search of the local authority's register. TPOs are registered as local land charges, so they appear in the search results. This is the method your solicitor uses during conveyancing.

You can request one yourself from your local council for around £20–50, but it takes days or weeks. For most people, a quick check on TPO Search followed by a call to the tree officer is faster and free.

When should you check?

• Before buying a property — your conveyancer should pick this up, but an early search gives you awareness before you commit
• Before any tree work — always check before hiring a tree surgeon
• Before submitting a planning application — TPO trees on or near your site must be addressed
• If you're a tree surgeon or arborist — verify protection status before quoting, to avoid liability