Legal rights for ancient trees

All ancient trees (over 100 years of age) to have the legal right not to be damaged or felled, with the exception of sustainable forestry to produce wood and maintaining the tree’s health. This would effectively make tree preservation orders (TPOs) national.

1. Trees are vital to our natural ecosystem and support hundreds of animal and insect life as well producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide and other pollutants.

2. i believe all life is worthy of our care and respect, just as an animal that produces meat and milk is worthy of our care and respect, a tree producing wood and fruit is worthy of our care and respect.

3. Any undue harm or felling of ancient trees for landscaping/visual reasons should be illegal and subject to prosecution.

Ancient trees provide valuable ecosystems services and are a living link to our society’s social and economic history. The Government is committed to recognising the importance of trees – young and old - by delivering programmes and policies which bring the benefits of trees into all of our lives. We therefore recently launched a consultation on the England Tree Strategy. This includes proposals to increase protections for our trees and woodlands, including through improving the criteria for applying Tree Preservation Orders. Such proposals would build on existing work to protect trees through regulations and the planning system. Responses are invited to that consultation, which can be accessed through GOV.UK:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/developing-a-tree-strategy-for-england

In the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) an ancient or veteran tree is defined as: ‘A tree which, because of its age, size and condition, is of exceptional biodiversity, cultural or heritage value.’ Ancient and veteran trees are irreplaceable habitats, which are of great importance for wildlife, cultural, economic and historic value. The Government is committed to ensuring ancient and veteran trees are adequately protected and suitably managed to provide a wide range of social, environmental and economic benefits to society. We therefore strengthened the protection of ancient and veteran trees through the NPPF and the supporting National Planning Practice Guidance. The NPPF now recognises ancient and veteran trees as irreplaceable habitats and aligns the planning system more closely with Defra’s 25 Year Environment Plan, which aims to leave the environment in a better state for future generations.