Last updated:
27th August 2025
Protected trees validation criteria
Guidance for completing your application
When completing an application to work on a protected tree, please ensure that your application is properly completed. Your application must be clear and specific, in certain areas, in order for us to validate your application and complete the process.
To help with your description of the tree after the proposed work, you could also attach a photo of the tree, with an explanation of the work (and proposed height and spread) after the work.
Sections 1 to 4
Applicant and agent details and tree location and ownership details
| Issue | Explanation |
| Illegible | Cannot read your writing |
| Incomplete | Information is missing |
| Unclear | Confusing or conflicting data |
Section 7
Identification of trees and description of works
| Issue | Explanation |
| Reason for the work | State the reasons for making the application |
| Crown thin | The amount of leaf-bearing twig structure to be removed expressed as a percentage (%) of the total leaf area (should not exceed 30%) |
| Crown lift | Identify the specific branches you want to remove (an annotated photograph with your application may help). Specify the required vertical clearance above ground level that you want to achieve |
| Crown reduce and tip reduce | The amount of reduction proposed should be stated in terms of the intended height and spread of the tree after pruning in metres. Expressing the pruning as a percentage (%) is not acceptable |
| Crown reshape (a particular section of the crown) | The part of the crown (tree canopy) you want to prune should be described. For example, by reference to a nearby fixed structure or by compass-points. The amount of pruning should be stated in terms of the intended remaining length of the branches after pruning (or by the proposed distance between any structure and the end of the pruned branch) |
| Selective prune (specific branches or limbs) | Identify the specific branches you want to selectively prune or remove and specify the amount of pruning or removal and estimate the diameter of the final pruning cuts after pruning or removal |
| Unclear and confusing description | You have used descriptions or terminology that are not recognised or used in the current industry standard (British Standard 3998) |
Section 8
Additional information
| Issue | Explanation |
| Sketch plan - to identify trees listed in Section 7 | Has not been supplied. Tree numbers do not match the details in Section 7 – description of works. Is not legible or clear enough |
| Arboricultural data | You have checked the ‘Yes’ box - ‘Condition of the trees’. However, information or evidence has not been supplied |
| Technical data | You have checked the ‘Yes’ box - ‘Alleged damage to property’. However, a professional report, information or evidence has not been supplied |
| Technical data or arboricultural data | You have ticked neither 'Yes' or 'No' in relation to alleged property damage or condition of tree. However, the application is incomplete |
Sections 10, 11 and 12
Declaration and contact details
| Issue | Explanation |
| Unclear | Missing, confusing or conflicting data relating to signatures |
| Missing or illegible | Require contact details |
