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Trees: information and advice
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Trees are a vital component of the landscape and make a big contribution to the attractiveness of Renfrewshire's towns and countryside.
They enhance views and help to define character and a sense of place. They provide colour and seasonal interest, and are central to the well-being of the area's plants and animals.
They enhance views and help to define character and a sense of place. They provide colour and seasonal interest, and are central to the well-being of the area's plants and animals.
The importance of the trees in and around our towns and villages is recognised in law and it is essential to maintain them by:
- protecting existing trees
- planting new trees
- promoting natural regeneration,and
- properly managing existing woodlands.
The Council has the legal power to preserve trees and woodlands by creating tree preservation orders. These may be used to protect trees, groups of trees or woodlands that add to the character and appearance of an area. There are over 100 tree preservation orders currently in place in Renfrewshire. You can view a map showing the boundaries of tree preservation orders in Renfrewshire. If you want to carry out work on any tree, or trees covered by an order, you must make an application to the council. To do this, you can download this application pack:
Trees in conservation areas.
Trees in conservation areas are also protected. There are eight conservation areas in Renfrewshire and information on these is provided on the Listed buildings and conservation areas page. If you want to carry out work on a tree in a conservation area, you must give the Council six weeks notice in writing and it is an offence to carry out the work within that period without the Council's consent. You can view a map showing the boundaries of the conservation areas in Renfrewshire.
Safeguarding trees during construction works
Read our guidance on how to protect trees on or near construction sites from the potential damage that can be caused during construction works. The advice applies equally to developers of large sites and to residents extending their houses.
You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the pdf documents on this page. Download Acrobat Reader here.
For further information, please contact the Planning office:
- email: pt@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- phone: 0141 842 5811/5822
- fax : 0141 842 5040
