Often you can fell a garden tree freely, but protected trees and larger amounts of timber need checks first, and this guide explains who to ask.
Sometimes yes and sometimes no, which is why it pays to check before anyone picks up a saw. Many ordinary garden trees can be felled without any formal consent. But some trees are legally protected, and cutting them down or even pruning them without permission can lead to prosecution and fines. The sensible rule is simple: find out first, get it in writing where you can, and only then arrange the work. That small amount of effort protects you, your neighbours and the tree.
A Tree Preservation Order is a protection placed on individual trees, groups or woodlands because they matter to the local area. If your tree is covered, you normally need the council's consent before cutting, topping, lopping or removing it. Your local council holds the records and is the place to check. Orders can apply to trees on private land, including back gardens, so do not assume your tree is exempt because it is yours.
Trees can also be protected simply by standing in a conservation area. In that case the council usually needs to be told before work begins, so it has a chance to decide whether a protection order is justified. Many older South Wales towns and village centres include conservation areas, and the boundaries are not always obvious from the street. A short call or email to the council will tell you whether your address is inside one. The council can also tell you how much notice it needs.
Felling a larger amount of timber in Wales may also need a felling licence from Natural Resources Wales, separate from anything the council requires. This is most likely to matter for bigger trees or groups of trees, and there are exceptions, so check with them before you rely on a particular rule. We cannot decide this for you, but we can point you to the right organisation and help you describe what you want done.
Permission is not only about legal protection. Check who actually owns the tree, because a boundary tree may be shared with a neighbour. Look at your property deeds or any covenants, which can restrict work. Birds nesting in a tree are protected, so we avoid felling during the nesting season unless a careful check shows no active nests. Bats are protected too, and a tree with holes or cavities may need further checks.
If a tree is dead, dying or immediately dangerous, rules often allow urgent work, but you should still tell the council and keep evidence such as photographs. Do not assume that a danger lets you skip the checks. A written note from a tree specialist can help. Never attempt to fell a risky tree yourself, as unstable timber, ladders and chainsaws together cause serious injuries every year. Taking photographs before any work begins is always sensible.
Before we quote, we look at the tree and its surroundings and suggest which checks to make with the council. We never fell a tree we think may be protected until you have the answers. We then give a free quotation after seeing the job, with the timber and green waste taken away and the site left tidy once the work is complete.
We will visit, tell you honestly what is needed and give you a free, no-obligation quotation.
Contact your local council's planning or tree officer, who can tell you whether a tree is protected and whether your property is in a conservation area. Many councils also publish records online. Ask for the answer in writing so you have something to show whoever carries out the work. It is worth asking at the same time whether any neighbouring trees are protected.
Often you can, but not always. If the tree is protected by an order or stands in a conservation area, you may need consent or must notify the council first. Larger felling may also need a licence. Always check before cutting, because mistakes can be costly.
You could face prosecution and a substantial fine, and you may be required to replant. Contractors can be held responsible too. This is why we ask customers to confirm a tree's status first, and why checking beforehand is far easier than putting things right afterwards.
Generally you may cut branches that overhang your side, but only back to the boundary, and only if the tree is not protected. The branches still belong to your neighbour. It is better to talk to them first, and a professional can do the work safely.
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Read the guide →Tell us what needs doing and where. We will come back to you, or call 07766 919630 if it is urgent.