Protecting Trees: A Guide to Understanding the Status of Protected Status

Name: Tree Services Sydney NSW
Brand: Sydney Wide Tree Services
Rating: 4.9 (38 reviews)

Posted by Sydney Wide Tree Services on 9 Aug 2025

Trees play an important role in our environment by providing shade, fresh air and aesthetic value to our surroundings. However there are a few trees that aren’t alike and some have additional protection status, making it illegal to carry out any work without permission. If you’re thinking of having a tree removed it is crucial to be aware of the protection status of the tree in question and what steps you’ll need to follow to be in compliance with the laws. The following article we will walk you through the process of discovering whether trees are safe and exactly what steps you need take to be sure that you comply with the law.

What is a protected tree?

A protected tree is subject to specific laws and regulations, and it’s illegal to carry out work on such a tree without obtaining the necessary permissions. There are two kinds of protection that a tree may have - preservation orders and protection orders.

Protection under the law

As a matter of legal protection trees are protected by law and are under the control of Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). TPOs are issued by local authorities in order to protect trees of significant public value and to ensure that they are not destroyed or damaged.

Preservation orders

Preservation orders are like TPOs in that they are issued through the secretary of state for the Environment. The trees that are protected by preservation orders are considered to have an exceptional value and are protected from all work, which includes cutting down.

What can I do to determine whether a tree is safe?

To determine if the tree is protected, you need to check if it is in the process of being subject to an TPO or preservation orders. This can be accomplished by contacting your local authority and asking them to search their records.

TPO search

If you want to find an TPO You can reach an Tree or Woodland Official from your local authority. They can inform you whether the tree is protected. They’ll also be able to advise you on the next steps to do if your tree is protected.

Preservation order search

In order to search for a preservation permit, you must contact Secretary of State, Department of the Environment. They will be able to inform you whether the tree is in the protected zone and provide you with the required information and guidelines.

FAQs:

What happens if I carry out work on a protected tree without permission?

If you carry out work on a tree that is protected without the appropriate authorizations, you could be subject to significant fines, and possibly even jail time.

Can I appeal a TPO and/or preservation order?

Yes, you can appeal to a TPO or preservation or TPO if it’s not justifiable. You will have to prove your claim and explain that the TPO or the preservation decision is not necessary.

Can I take down a protected tree?

It is against the law to remove trees that are protected without the required permissions. If you want the tree to be removed, you will need to seek permission from the council and provide evidence to support your case.

Conclusion

To conclude, knowing if a tree is protected is an essential step in ensuring that any tree work carried out legally. If you know the various types of protection and how to identify them it is possible to be sure that you are acting within the law and are protecting the trees in your care. If you’re unsure of the nature of the protection of a tree, we recommend consulting an expert in tree care such as Sydney Wide Tree Services. Our arborists are experienced and can advise you about the protection status of your trees and walk you through the necessary steps to ensure you are following the law. With our expertise and commitment to providing high-quality tree services, we can help you maintain the beauty and value of your trees. Contact us now by phone at 1300 926 820 to schedule a appointment, and let us guide you on how to keep your trees safe and healthy.

Tags: Compliance, Protected Trees, Tree Health Categories: Arborist, Environment, Tree Care, Tree Removal

25 Popular Trees for Gardens

The Ultimate Guide to Tree Lopping: What You Need to Know

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed In All Tree Services Work

Our specialist tree services in Sydney assure the quality of work. From small trees to large trees, significant trees, all tree species. Additionally we can provide stump grinding and land clearance. This enables us to provide complete customer satisfaction and a pleasant experience. It is all you need to contact us and tell us what you need and our team takes charge of everything else. The quality, the effectiveness of executing the task, and correct preparation.

We Prioritize Safety Above All

Tree removal is work which may appear to require more energy than skill. Contrary to what it sounds, nevertheless, it’s a job best left to the professional, particularly because it can easily compromise safety. Being a highly technical procedure, you’ll be glad to know that we’ve got all equipment, skill and experience required for safe and effective tree elimination in Sydney.

With exceptional attention to detail, highly skilled employees, and innovative techniques, we promise a 100% safety guarantee. Our staff is fully trained to take the required precautions through rigorous health and safety training exercises. This provides us the confidence to guarantee safety and deliver an excellent solution.

The tree services sector is notorious for injuries such as impact accidents, falls, electrocution, cuts, scratches, and many others. But together with Sydney Wide Tree Services, we ensure safety for you, your family, pets, and property. Security is our #No.1 priority.

More so, you are welcome to bring any safety concerns through tree removal. We will help you through the situation and tackle all issues, so that you may be at ease. Our skills will amaze you with experience, innovative techniques, cleanliness, and smoothness of service. Contact us today for all tree services needs in Sydney and appreciate incredibly great support!

Request a Quote

Why Select Us

At Sydney Wide Tree Services Sydney we eliminate trees in an easy and expert manner. Our in-depth expertise, unrivalled customer satisfaction, and utilization of state of the art tools and equipment allow us to do the job flawlessly and within strict timeframes.

We have a wide variety of technical tools and equipment that enable us to take on even the most difficult kinds of tree services Sydney. We can easily and conveniently remove trees which block access to specific areas, regardless of their size. We place excellent consideration to the immediate environment, the type of tree being removed, size and many other factors.

When searching for expert tree removal in Sydney and its surrounding suburbs, we’re the greatest choice. We value our 100% customer satisfaction guarantee thanks to our highly trained staff and comprehensive techniques.

Request a Quote

About Us &

What We Do

Is it now the right time to look after your trees? At Sydney Wide Tree Services, we’re proud to offer stellar solutions in the center of Sydney without compromising on quality or affordability. Our crew continues to set the gold standard for tree services in the industry and always aims to be the best. We provide access to quite a few different kinds of services including tree cutting, pruning, replanting, maintenance, and/or tree trimming.

Whether you want a tree stump removed or a tree entirely removed, Sydney Wide Tree Services has the requisite equipment and experience to offer you specialist and high quality solutions.

We provide professional tree maintenance support in Sydney and surrounding areas at affordable rates. Our prices might not be the lowest but we will always try to keep our clients’ pockets in mind. This usually means that you can anticipate a high-quality service, affordable rates, ethical business practices, eco friendly workmanship, all rolled into one.

As a result of our highly-skilled and experienced team of tree maintenance professionals we get the job done efficiently. For this reason, our tree care services in Sydney may be priced differently than what you might anticipate.

Visit our website or contact us on 1300 926 820 for more information.