Tree Felling Licence Exemptions. Feb 11, 2022 · This Operations Note sets out how Local Author
Feb 11, 2022 · This Operations Note sets out how Local Authorities (LAs) can best evidence the need for tree felling without a felling licence, and defend against allegations of alleged illegal tree felling. Feb 26, 2023 · The government recently introduced unlimited fines to deter illegal tree felling in England. Assuming it to be common ground that no licence was issued, it is then for the accused to prove on the balance of probabilities that no licence was required”. Mar 9, 2018 · A couple of months ago, I explained that a tree felling licence is required if you wish to fell trees. Mar 1, 2024 · The duty requires local authorities to consult with local residents on the felling of street trees where no exemptions apply. Apr 6, 2025 · Learn the rules on hedge cutting and tree felling in Ireland, including seasonal bans, licence requirements, and exemptions for domestic gardening. Ask a professional tree surgeon for advice. Ancient Trees. Transferring obligations If you buy a wood, you may find that there are already Forestry Commission grant schemes or felling licences in place. Don’t face a hefty fine. Jan 6, 2023 · In most cases a licence for felling is required from the Forestry Commission to cut down trees, including as part of sustainable woodland management, but there are a number of exemptions to the need for a felling licence in the Act, such as for example the felling of most trees growing in a garden. The felling of trees is a legally controlled activity, regulated by The Forestry Commission. It follows concern over possible rising levels of illegal felling, particularly ahead of development There are specific rules about tree felling (tree cutting). Nov 16, 2020 · It is an offence to undertake the following forestry activities unless you first obtain a license from the Department: • Tree felling – a Felling License is required to uproot or to cut down any tree (subject to certain exemptions); Procedure to follow when felling trees The Forestry Act 2014 (replaced the 1946 Act) contains the main provisions for the felling of trees. Q. The felling of trees in accordance with permitted development, and which is immediately required for the purpose of carrying out the permitted development, is exempt from the need for a Aug 21, 2025 · Most felling licences that we issue will contain conditions that require felled trees or areas of woodland to be replaced by replanting or allowed to regenerate. If you have no felling licence or other permission to fell trees in place, or if the wrong trees are felled and no felling exception can be proved, everyone involved can be prosecuted. Information about tree felling licences and exemptions is available on the Forestry Commission website. 00 per tree; For further information and advice on tree felling in Scotland please contact a member of Thorntons’ Land and Rural Business Team on 03330 430350. Nov 16, 2020 · It is an offence to undertake the following forestry activities unless you first obtain a license from the Department: • Tree felling – a Felling License is required to uproot or to cut down any tree (subject to certain exemptions); Jul 9, 2018 · Find out how to review and comment on felling licence applications for tree felling projects in your area. Do you need permission to fell a tree in your garden? What is a tree preservation order? Answers to this and more from Scotland's leading tree surgeons. . Check if a tree is protected and when you must apply before pruning, thinning or felling. Mar 31, 2025 · By understanding and working within the UK's regulatory framework, you can manage trees on your property effectively while contributing to the preservation of the UK's arboreal heritage. Jul 17, 2020 · Where proposed tree felling is of sufficient volume to require a felling licence and no other exceptions to the need for a felling licence apply (see Tree felling: getting Permission, a felling There are circumstances where the felling of a tree is exempted from the need to obtain a tree felling licence. the owner, agent, timber merchant or contractor, must ensure that a felling licence or approval under a Dedication Scheme has been issued before any felling is carried out or that one of the exemptions apply. This provides a general overview. Ab einem bestimmten Stammumfang darf die Säge nur mit Genehmigung der Unteren Naturschutzbehörde angesetzt werden. Whether you're a property owner, developer, or investor, this knowledge will help you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes when dealing with trees in the United Kingdom. Oct 6, 2023 · It is an offence to fell trees without a licence or an exemption applying. Wenn Sie zwischen März und September einen Baum oder ein anderes Gehölz fällen möchten, benötigen Sie dafür eine Ausnahmegenehmigung. Aug 2, 2024 · This activity requires a felling licence if the tree stems (trunks) are 10cm or greater in diameter when measured 1. You must check each type before doing any Felling Licences Under the Forestry Act 1967, tree felling in Great Britain a legally controlled activity and everyone needs permission from the Forestry Authority (a part of the Forestry Commission) to fell growing trees, unless the operation is exempt. It follows concern over possible rising levels of illegal felling, particularly ahead of development Tree felling licences are issued by the Forestry Commission in England and Scotland, the Forest Service in Northern Ireland, and by Natural Resources Wales. How to check Trees and hedgerows can be protected in several ways. Professional tree law protection advice. So if your predecessor felled some trees on the condition that new trees Do you need a tree felling licence? Follow our expert tree care advice. Für jede Baumfällung muss ein neuer Baum nachgepflanzt werden. 3m from ground). Felling Licences Under the Forestry Act 1967, tree felling in Great Britain a legally controlled activity and everyone needs permission from the Forestry Authority (a part of the Forestry Commission) to fell growing trees, unless the operation is exempt. Felling licenses. Aug 1, 2007 · Find out when you need a felling licence to fell trees, and what we do if trees are felled without a licence. However, it is advisable to notify the Forest Service of the DAFM that felling is to take place and it will decide if the trees in question are exempted. Professional legal advice should be sought in complex issues relating to trees and the law. Felling licence, or application to Local Authority? Where proposed tree felling is of sufficient volume to require a felling licence and no other exceptions to the need for a felling licence apply (see Tree felling: getting Permission), a felling licence is the only route to legally fell the trees. Jul 17, 2020 · Where proposed tree felling is of sufficient volume to require a felling licence and no other exceptions to the need for a felling licence apply (see Tree felling: getting Permission, a felling May 30, 2017 · In the case of trees outside the forest, certain exemptions exist to the requirement to submit a tree felling licence application. Tree Felling licences are obtained through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food – Forestry Section. 2 hectares or more need a licence to fell trees, and are required to re-establish the woodland under an approved felling management plan. I described the procedure how to apply under the new Forestry Act 2014. You may need our consent before carrying out work on them. Mar 6, 2014 · Explains the legislation governing Tree Preservation Orders and tree protection in conservation areas. Aug 12, 2021 · The most common exemptions to the need for a licence for felling trees include: • 5m3 trees can be felled per calendar quarter• Small trees i. In the case of a felling licence (including felling done under a grant scheme), the conditions go with the land and not with the owner. There are circumstances where the felling of a tree is exempted from the need to obtain a tree felling licence. If you do work without consent, you could face a fine or prosecution. In any calendar quarter, you may fell up to 5 cubic metres (m3) of growing trees on your property, without a felling licence, as long as no more than 2m3 are sold. e. These are the two main measures for the protection of trees in Ireland. The Forestry Act 1967 provides the legal framework for felling trees in England and Wales. You must get a licence before felling growing trees, subject to limited exemptions. Jul 9, 2018 · Consultation register: which tree felling applications are exempt? Some felling licence applications may be excluded from the consultation register due to an exemption. Your solicitor should inform you of these. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Find out more about tree felling licence exemptions with The Forestry Commission. Procedure to follow when felling trees The Forestry Act 2014 (replaced the 1946 Act) contains the main provisions for the felling of trees. Everyone involved in the felling of trees, whether doing the work or by engaging others, eg. Some trees and hedgerows in Northumberland are protected by law. Oct 1, 2024 · Works might include the removal of dead limbs from trees in high-risk areas via tree surgery; the felling of infected trees by thinning or clearfell; work to promote healthy trees to tolerate infection; or work to support the natural regeneration of tolerant strains. 3m) can be felled • Trees can be felled to prevent real (evidenced) danger • Fruit trees can be felled • Trees growing in garden / designated public open space can Professional tree law protection advice. Find out more about exemptions and check if you need a felling licence on the NRW website. Jun 2, 2023 · Find out more about felling licences, exemptions and how to apply in this helpful guide Tree felling - getting permission. If you’re cutting down a tree with a TPO (with permission), you must replace it. A typical exception to this “Under section 17 of the 1967 [Forestry] Act the prosecution must prove that the accused felled the trees. 5m3 is a volume roughly equivalent to a standard sized builders skip. These rules apply to the trees on your property, as well as the trees in your area. From 17 June 2013, owners of private woodlands of 0. Aug 20, 2024 · Pursuant to section 17 (1) (b) of the Forestry Act 1967, anyone who fells a tree without the authority of a felling licence and/or without one or more of exemptions applying, is liable on summary conviction to a fine. How to apply for a felling license Applications for a license can be completed online, or a paper copy can be requested, from The Forestry Commission website. Jul 9, 2018 · Felling trees without a licence, where one would have been required, is an offence. It is an offence to fell trees without a felling licence if an exemption does not apply. Exemptions - thinnings You don’t need a licence to thin out trees in a wood, as long as the trees you fell are less than 10cm in diameter (at 1. Read more about what could happen if a tree is cut down without a licence. There are specific rules about tree felling (tree cutting). Oct 6, 2021 · There are other exemptions and the burden of proving an exemption applies is placed on the party who has felled or wishes to fell the trees in question. Also it is worth stating that, in the opinion of the Minister, trees planted and managed solely for its foliage or for decorative purposes, such as Christmas trees, are exempted from the requirement to apply for a felling licence. There are exemptions, some felling does not require a licence, including a personal allowance. </p> <p>This new duty is the government’s response to a number of high-profile street tree felling programmes by some local authorities – programmes that proved to be very unpopular with many residents. Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) are a planning mechanism whereby individual trees or groups of trees can be identified as important and protected by a TPO. All those involved in tree felling must ensure that a felling licence has been issued before any felling is carried out, unless they are satisfied that the felling is exempted (see below). Stay compliant and protect local wildlife. You could be prosecuted and receive a criminal record and a fine of up to £5000. Oct 20, 2023 · Natural Resources Wales (NRW) regulates tree felling through the Forestry Act 1967. Jul 9, 2018 · Find out how to review and comment on felling licence applications for tree felling projects in your area. Jul 9, 2018 · To help protect Britain's trees and woodland, a felling licence from the Forestry Commission is required to fell most trees. Under this act it is an offence for any person to uproot or cut down any tree unless the owner has obtained permission in the form of a felling licence from the Forest Service. diameter 8cm or less (at 1. Apr 15, 2021 · It is important to note that any felling carried out without a felling licence is an offence, unless it is covered by an exception under the Forestry Act. Are there any scenarios where trees can be felled without the need to submit a tree felling licence application under Section 19 of the Forestry Act 2014? Felling Permission From 1 April 2019, anyone wishing to fell trees in Scotland requires a Felling Permission issued by Scottish Forestry, unless an exemption applies or another form of felling approval such as a felling licence (including a forest plan) has previously been issued. 3 metres from the ground, unless an exemption applies. After you have felled a tree To compensate for the lost tree, we recommend planting at a ratio of at least 3:1, or as agreed in the felling licence conditions - although it will take years to match the benefits of the felled tree. Independent assistance with tree preservation and protection for planning. However, even in these cases, it is important to consult with the local authority or the Forestry Commission office to determine if a felling license is required. Bäume produzieren lebensnotwendigen Sauerstoff, verbessern das Klima, filtern Staub und Schadstoffe und sorgen für Luftfeuchtigkeit und -bewegung. This can apply to your land, or land you manage.