Location of Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) within the Mendip District Council local authority area. A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is a part of town and country planning in the United Kingdom. A TPO is made by a Local Planning Authority (usually a local council) to protect specific trees or a particular area, group or woodland from deliberate damage and destruction. TPOs can prevent the felling, lopping, topping, uprooting or otherwise willful damaging of trees without the permission of the Local Planning Authority, although different TPOs have different degrees of protection.