Trees, woodland and forestry

Tree Protection

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)

Certified copies of our most recent Tree Preservation Orders are:

• Tree Preservation Order Number HC146, 2023 Badabrie, Banavie - Served
• Tree Preservation Order Number HC144, 2023 Laggan House, Scaniport, Inverness - Served
• Tree Preservation Order Number HC145, 2023 Inchbae, Garve - Served

Copies of older Tree Preservation Orders are available upon request.

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