If you have a question about trees, you may find the answer you are looking for in some of our most frequently asked questions:

"I think a nearby tree is dangerous, and I live in a conservation area. How do I go about carrying out works to it?"

• If you consider the tree to be dangerous, you will need to contact a qualified arboriculturalist for them to confirm this. If they agree the tree is dangerous, there are existing exemptions for urgent works and you can request our permission for these by using this online form
• Please note, we may need you to plant some replacement trees

"There is a fallen tree on a road blocking the highway. When can you remove it?"

• If the tree has fallen, it needs to be cleared to unblock the highway, which falls under Devon County Council’s remit, as they are the local highway authority – please contact them directly to ask them to remove it

"My neighbours trees are blocking my light or overhanging or encroaching on my property. What can I do about it?"

• The parts of a tree overhanging your garden can be cut back IF the tree is not protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and is not within a conservation area

If you trim the tree, you can only trim it back to your property boundary.

If the tree is within a conservation area, or covered by a TPO, you will need to contact a qualified arboriculturalist for them to confirm this. If they agree the tree is dangerous, there are existing exemptions for urgent works and you can request our permission for these using our online form

"Trees are being cut down in conservation area, but they don't have a Tree Preservation Order on them - do I need to let the council know?"

• This is an urgent issue that our Enforcement Officers need to investigate, please let us know what is happening and where

"I want to carry out works to trees with TPO, and I am concerned about safety."

• If the tree is within a conservation area, or covered by a TPO, you will need to contact a qualified arboriculturalist for them to confirm this. If they agree the tree is dangerous, there are existing exemptions for urgent works and you can request work to the tree by getting our permission using our online form
• Please note, we may need you to plant some replacement trees

"I need advice about diseased Ash Trees."

• We have advice on dealing with diseased ash trees; we believe urgent works to be unlikely, unless a qualified arboriculturist has deemed it to be a dangerous tree

"I need advice about Trimming Leylandii Trees."

• Leylandii hedges are rarely protected by a Tree Preservation Order, please see our procedure for dealing with high hedge complaints