Trees and Woodlands

Tree protection

Many special trees and several associated to development are protected by Tree Preservation Order (TPO). The importance of trees in Conservation Areas is recognised in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which makes special provision for trees standing in conservation areas which are not already protected by a tree preservation order.

Further details about protected trees can be found under 'planning' or by following these links.

Tree Preservation Orders (Planning section)
Trees in Conservation Areas (Living In section)

Woodland Management

The Dartmoor National Park Authority manages 540ha (1300 acres) of mainly broadleaved woodland either through ownership or long term formal management agreements, where the primary objectives relate to enhancing biodiversity. This is largely achieved through removal of non native species such as rhododendron or thinning to favour the native species such as oak, ash, hazel where species not considered locally indigenous, including sycamore and beech, threaten the important communities associated to the western oak woods that are typical of Dartmoor. All woodlands owned and managed under agreement are accredited under the Forestry Stewardship Council proving sustainable management, enabling all products to carry the FSC wood mark. www.fsc-uk (external site, opens new window)

Restoring native species within plantations standing on ancient woodland sites, our prime habitat, usually associated with the steep sides of major river valleys, is another important area of work so that ancient woodland indicator plants can once again thrive beneath a canopy of native trees and shrubs, before being completely lost under the heavy shade of the exotic trees.

RAW - Restoring Ancient Woodlands project was set up in october 2005 to address key issues within and surrounding ancient woodlands. This new project has been launched to focus on bringing all ancient woodlands into managment , encouraging PAWS restoration and aiming to establish significant areas of new native woodland that adjoins or links existing areas of ancient woodland.

Dartmoor National Park Authority offers free advice on hedgerow management on land within Dartmoor National Park. You can read about the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 on this website, and how to apply to remove a hedgerow.
Please note the authority has no powers under the High Hedge regulations, which became active on 1st June 2005. All requests for information and advice under this issue should be addressed to your local district council environmental health department. For further information click the link to the Department of Communities and Local Government High Hedges (external link, opens new window)If you are unable to find the details or information you require please contact the Trees and Landscape Officer, covering the arboricultural side of our work, hedgerow regulations, amenity planting and trees in relation to development control work.