Exclusive: Cardiff protects only fourteen trees in ten years

Cardiff council has issued only fourteen tree protection orders in the last ten years.

In answer to the following question from Cardiff Civic Society, “In the last ten years; from January 2012 to January 2022 - how many TPOs were issued in Cardiff by the council?” Cardiff council answered “fourteen”.

In protecting so few trees in the last decade, the council has missed an opportunity to defend mature trees, felled by developers, that would now be playing a vital role in protecting us from the climate and nature crises. While also providing clean air. Suffolk House in Canton is a prime example. Another is the stunning copper beech in Sophia Close, marked out by the Woodland Trust as a tree of note.

If they are serious about making Cardiff a pleasant city to live, free from air pollution, then they must do more to protect mature trees.

We are grateful to Cardiff council for providing the numbers, in response to a request placed under their freedom of information scheme.