Do I Need Permission to Cut Down a Tree?

The short answer

Sometimes — it depends on the tree, where it is, and how big the job is. There isn’t one single rule that covers every situation, so the safest approach is to work through the questions below before any cutting starts.

Questions worth checking before you cut down a tree

Does the tree have a Tree Preservation Order? If so, you generally need the council’s written consent before any felling, topping, lopping, uprooting or wilful damage. See our guide on Tree Preservation Orders in Scotland.

Is the property in a conservation area? Even without an individual TPO, trees in a conservation area typically require advance written notice to the council before work. See trees in conservation areas.

Is it a large amount of woodland, rather than a garden tree? Felling trees that form part of woodland (rather than an individual garden or domestic tree) can require a felling permission from Scottish Forestry under separate forestry legislation, depending on the volume of timber involved. This is different from the TPO/conservation area system, and applies whether or not the land is otherwise protected.

Do you actually own the tree? If a tree is on a boundary or you’re not sure who it legally belongs to, this is worth establishing before any work — cutting down a tree you don’t own, or don’t have permission to remove, can create a separate dispute regardless of planning rules. See our guide on neighbour tree responsibility in Scotland.

Is there a mortgage, lease or covenant that restricts tree work? Some property titles, leases or mortgage conditions include their own restrictions on removing trees, separate from planning law — worth checking your paperwork if you’re unsure.

If none of the above apply

Many ordinary garden trees, with no TPO, outside a conservation area, and not part of woodland, can be removed without a formal planning consent. But because getting this wrong can mean a criminal offence, and because rules can be genuinely tricky to interpret for a specific tree, we’d always rather help you check properly than assume.

What we do

When you get in touch about tree removal or heavy pruning, we can help you work through these questions for your specific property before any work is booked in. If it turns out permission is needed, we can advise on what that process typically looks like.

Related reading

• Tree Preservation Orders in Scotland
• Trees in Conservation Areas
• Neighbour tree responsibility in Scotland

This guide is general information, not legal advice — always confirm the specific position for your tree with your local council (and Scottish Forestry for larger woodland) before carrying out work. Get in touch and we can help you check.