CITIES Legislation

Can anyone help?
I live in London, UK and doing some research on a Monkey Puzzle tree in West London. I have been told by the owner that it is protected by a C.I.T.I.E.S Legislation.
Can anyone tell me what this is?

 

could it be "City legislation"? We have local City bylaws to protect trees here,

 

i dont think it is...we have Tree Preservation Laws and Conservation Area protecting trees but i'm sure that its a form of protective legislation maybe short for something C.I.T.I.E.S perhaps? had a look on the net couldn't find anything

 

Perhaps C.I.T.E.S. or Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species?