Tree Protection Measures are a set of procedures used on construction sites to prevent damage to any trees that are being retained. They exist to protect both the above-ground parts of the tree (the trunk and canopy) and the below-ground Root Protection Area (RPA), which is essential to the tree’s long-term health.
Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) increasingly expect applicants to follow clear protective methods during works. If you choose to adopt these measures in your application, it is important to understand that they represent a real on-site commitment, not just paperwork. LPAs may request evidence that the protection has been installed and maintained correctly throughout construction.
What Tree Protection Measures Usually Involve
Tree protection typically has two main components, working together to create what is known as the Construction Exclusion Zone (CEZ):
1. Protective Fencing
This is normally a robust barrier around the RPA, preventing machinery, storage, or accidental movement into sensitive areas. Fencing must be:
Installed before construction begins
Maintained upright, secure, and unmoved
Repaired immediately if damaged
Fencing specifications usually follow BS 5837:2012 standards, which most LPAs expect applicants to meet.
2. Ground Protection
Where fencing alone cannot restrict access, ground protection may be required. This can include, for example, semi-permeable geotextile membranes
These protect the soil structure and roots from compaction caused by footfall, vehicles, or stored materials.
If ground protection is used, it must be installed exactly as specified and kept in place for as long as works continue in nearby areas.
Following the Methods Properly
If you indicate in your application that you will follow particular tree-protection methods, the LPA will assume that:
These measures will be installed before any work starts
They will remain in place and be maintained for the full duration of works
You will appoint a competent contractor (and, if needed, an arboricultural consultant) to help implement them
You will update the LPA if the design changes or if additional protection becomes necessary
Failure to follow these commitments can lead to enforcement issues or delays in the planning or construction process.
When Additional Professional Input Is Required
If at any point:
fencing is damaged
ground protection fails
works unexpectedly move closer to roots or canopies
or there is any risk of harm to retained trees
then work should pause, and an Arboricultural Consultant should be informed and instructed immediately. LPAs take tree protection seriously, and bringing in a professional early prevents small issues from becoming major complications.
Key Prohibitions Within Root Protection Areas (RPAs)
Whether or not you need fencing or ground protection, the following activities are never permitted within an RPA:
Digging, trenching, or any excavation
Raising or lowering ground levels
Storage of materials, machinery, or spoil
Vehicle or plant access
Mixing or spilling chemicals, fuels, or concrete
Lighting fires
Fixing items (such as signs or cables) to trees
Keeping the RPA undisturbed is essential for the tree’s long-term health.
A Serious but Manageable Commitment
Tree protection is not simply a formality: it is a real environmental safeguard, and LPAs may require photos, evidence, or supervision notes to confirm that measures are in place. If you choose to adopt these methods in your project, please ensure you are ready to follow them through on site.
If your design changes or you become aware of any risk to the trees, you may need to update your Method Statement or obtain fresh arboricultural advice.