Protect old trees the same as heritage buildings, say campaigners

Destruction of trees in Plymouth highlights weakness of protections for trees in UK, says Woodland Trust

Veteran trees should have the same protections as heritage buildings to stop destruction on the scale carried out in Plymouth this week, campaigners have said.

The Woodland Trust is calling for an English Heritage style body to enforce greater protections for trees – including those which have value to the attractiveness of a town or city. Unlike for old buildings, the protections for trees are weak, said Andy Egan, head of conservation policy at the trust.