Landscape, Trees and Hedges

You can find out about tree ownership and who has responsibility for maintenance here.

The Council has a duty to protect trees that have significant public amenity value. There are five types of tree protection.

Protecting trees, copses and woodlands by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) served and enforced by the Council.

Find more information about Ash Dieback, including where you can get further advice and your responsibilities for any trees on your land.

You can find information about the Tree Warden Scheme in the South Hams here.

Hedgerows are protected by law. If you wish to remove one in the countryside you must apply to the Council.

Find out what the council can do about hedge and tree disputes between neighbours.

A Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) has been prepared for South Hams and West Devon in 2018 and replaces the earlier assessments produced in 2007 and 2008.

If you wish to ask the Council to consider serving a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) please use this form.

If you need to carry out works to a protected tree, you can apply online here.

There is a clear and well-established process for protecting trees in relation to new development.

Apply to place a memorial or commemorative tree.

South Hams District Council has declared a Climate Change and Biodiversity Emergency. Find out more here.