Trees, woodland and forestry

Protected trees

There are 3 layers of tree protection:

Tree Preservation Orders (TPO)
Conservation areas
Planning conditions

If you want to carry out any tree felling or surgery works to a protected tree, you must get written permission from us. This can be obtained by completing a tree work application form and returning it to the Infrastructure, Environment and Economy Service for their consideration.

Tree Preservation Orders

A Tree Preservation Order protects individual trees and woodlands that make a significant contribution to the appearance or natural beauty of an area, or are of cultural or historical importance.

full screen map of preservation orders

Please email any search enquiries to:

nick.richards@highland.gov.uk for the North Highland area (Caithness, Sutherland, Ross, Skye and Lochalsh)
grant.stuart@highland.gov.uk for the South Highland area (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Lochaber)

As the Council Service Points are currently closed, a certified copy of Orders are available below.

Tree Preservation Order No. HC143

Tree Preservation Order No. HC142

TPO No. HC142, 2021 RIVER SPEAN, SPEAN BRIDGE

Tree Preservation Order No. HC141

Tree Preservation Order No. HC137

Tree Preservation Order No. HC136

TPO No. HC136, 2021 GLENCOE HOUSE HOTEL, GLENCOE

Conservation Areas

Conservation Areas protect trees and woodlands as important landscape features which often make a significant contribution to the special character of the area.

To determine whether a tree or woodland is within a Conservation Area, please find the specified area on the maps of Conservation Areas

Planning conditions

Read information on planning conditions

Replacement of protected trees

Where we allow the removal of a protected tree, we expect appropriate replacement planting. In any development plan, trees proposed for removal should be replaced with appropriate planting in a landscape scheme.