[park381]

Originally Posted by Neil

You guessed it mate. There is no way they can dip deep enough - about 12" below the bottom of the stones without destroying the roots.

To quote The Rhyddings Conservation Area document, issued by HBC.
"Trees in a conservation area are protected by that act. Ay person wishing to cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or wilfully destroy any tree in a conservation area must give the district council six weeks notice of his/here intention of doing so. The purpose of this provision is to give the local planning authority a final opportunity to make a Tree Preservation Order before the work is carried out. If the work has begun without due notice the person concerned is liable to penalties"