Tree protection process

About the consultation

Ahead of the introduction of legislation setting out which works to trees will require permission in Jersey, the Minister for the Environment is consulting with Islanders about the details of the proposals.

In 2022, the States Assembly approved plans to better protect trees by bringing works to them under the definition of development within Jersey’s Planning and Building Law.

When the revised law comes into effect, operations to or on trees will require permission before they can proceed. However, it's proposed that there will be a list of exceptions that will specify those operations that can go ahead without permission.

The proposed exceptions outlined in the Order, works that would not be classed as development, are:

• the tree is diseased, so far as the operation is necessary to preserve or protect the health of the tree or other trees
  
• the tree poses a danger to the public, so far as the operation is necessary in the interests of public safety
  
• the tree has caused or is causing damage to a building, so far as the operation is necessary:
• to repair the damage caused by the tree
• to preserve or restore the structural integrity of the building
• in the interests of public safety
  
• the operation is a routine management measure taken in the interests of the health, preservation, amenity value or utility value of the tree
  
• the operation is a necessary part of routine cultivation of a fruit tree on land which is used for commercial production of fruit
  
• the operation involves only the removal of dead branches from a living tree
  
• the tree is growing in a container (other than a container located in a public place) and not in the ground
  
• the tree is held as stock in a garden centre or nursery
  
• the operation is required by or under an enactment, so far as is necessary to comply with that requirement
  
• the tree has a diameter not exceeding 8 centimetres, to be measured over the bark, at a point 1.5 metres above ground level
  

How to submit comments to the consultation

Complete the survey below to submit your comments:

Complete the tree protection process survey

Responses to the consultation

Tree protection process consultation report June 2023