Since the unauthorised destruction of the Hadrian’s Wall Sycamore Gap tree by vandals, there has been a spotlight on tree protection laws in the UK. There are many calls for stricter measures to protect our country’s natural beauty spots and arboreal sites.
Sycamore trees, with their vibrant foliage and distinctive appearance, contribute to the country’s rich biodiversity, adding aesthetic value to our landscapes. However, sycamore trees, like many others, face various threats from human activities and environmental challenges.
While single acts of tree vandalism are hard to prevent, there are lots of things we can do to keep our trees as healthy as possible so that they thrive in all conditions, from deadwooding to regular maintenance.
Which UK trees are protected?
In the UK, trees can be given protected status for various reasons, including their age, location, size and whether there’s a risk of building development on the land.
Tree protection comes in the form of Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), which restrict work to individual or groups of trees within a local community, prohibiting damage and felling. Trees located within conservation areas also require permission from the local planning authority to be removed.
How can you protect sycamore trees from harm?
To ensure the long-term health of sycamore trees, conservation efforts should focus on promoting responsible tree management, good tree care practices and raising awareness about their value.
Sycamore trees can be susceptible to various threats, such as disease, pests and human activities, so protecting them requires a proactive approach. This includes regular maintenance, inspecting sycamore trees for signs of disease or infestations, and ensuring proper mulching and pruning to maintain tree health.
Do you need permission to cut down a sycamore tree?
In many cases, you won’t require tree cutting permission to remove a sycamore if it’s located on your private property. However, there are exceptions to this rule, including those covered by TPOs.
Even if you can legally remove a sycamore tree, it’s important to consider alternative options, such as pruning, pollarding or relocation, before resorting to complete removal, which is a decision a professional tree surgeon can help you with.
When is tree removal necessary?
There are some situations where a removal is necessary, including safety concerns when a tree has become a hazard to property or people. This can sometimes be down to structural instabilities, storm damage, disease, pest infestations or overgrown trees close to power lines or buildings.
Tree removals may also be required if they’re obstructing construction or development plans. Planning applications should cover details of affected woods and trees even if removal isn’t needed, outlining how adequate ground space and root protection have been considered. In England and Wales, planning policies also ensure developers must consult the Ancient Tree Inventory to help protect veteran trees.
Do you need Sycamore tree care services? Contact our team
DH Tree Services operates throughout South West London and Surrey, coming out to Woldingham, Worcester Park and beyond.
For more tree preservation advice, please get in touch.
