Branching out for net gain

Information on trees and areas of woodland covered by 300 Tree Preservation Orders in the Lake District is now available online.

As well as being able to view all current preservation orders on screen, applications to work on protected trees can also be found on www.lake-district.gov.uk/tree_preservation

New orders are regularly made and it is an offence to cut, top, uproot, damage or destroy preserved trees without the go-ahead from the Lake District National Park Authority.

“This is going to be particularly useful for the people who find it difficult to contact us during the day,” explained LDNPA’s tree preservation, landscape and woodland adviser Marina Ramsden. “We can now offer a round-the-clock service.”

“If people want to fell or prune a protected tree, or are doing any work which might put them at risk, they can fill in an application form online and email it back to us.

“We deal with up to 150 applications a year and hope people are going to find this web intervention useful.”

Marina said the new online service would benefit landowners, homeowners, tree surgeons, as well as the general public.

“Not only will people be able to see how their application is progressing, but can view requests dating back to the 1950s to see what has been granted or refused. It’s a great way to cut down on paper too.

“Tree preservation orders are essential, otherwise important trees would be lost,” added Marina. “With the onset of climate change it’s more important then ever to keep our trees as they help cut carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.”

Anyone wanting more information should contact Marina Ramsden on 01539 792706.