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.
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. HC137
Tree Preservation Order No. HC136
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
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.