Thinking of taking down a tree? In most Clare gardens you can go ahead without asking anyone — the majority of garden trees need no permission. There are a few important exceptions, though, and it pays to rule them out first.
Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)
Councils can place a Tree Preservation Order on a tree or group of trees that is valued for its amenity. Felling, topping or lopping a protected tree without consent can lead to penalties. If you’re unsure whether a tree is covered, Clare County Council can tell you.
Architectural Conservation Areas and protected structures
Trees within an Architectural Conservation Area, or in the grounds of a protected structure, may also need consent. This is most likely to apply in historic town centres and around older houses and estates.
Felling licences in the countryside
Some felling requires a licence from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Forestry Act 2014. Exemptions include trees in urban areas and trees within 30 metres of a building, but farms and larger rural holdings should check before cutting.
Conditions in your planning permission
If your home is relatively new, the planning permission may require certain trees or hedgerows to be kept. It’s worth checking the conditions before removing anything along a boundary.
The hedge-cutting season
The Wildlife Act restricts cutting hedgerows from 1 March to 31 August to protect nesting birds, with limited exemptions such as road safety.
We’ll flag it for you
If you think a tree might be protected, mention it when you contact us and we’ll check it at the free site visit before anything is booked. This article is general guidance, not legal advice — please confirm with Clare County Council for your own property.
