Tree felling
What is it?
You need an environmental permit (felling activity) to cut down a tree or other timber stand. This if it is included in the municipal tree list. If your tree is not on this list, you do not need to apply for an environmental permit. However, you may need an environmental permit, based on the zoning plan, for example, to cut down a tree or other timber stands.
Cutting down landscape elements (such as bushes, girdles, hedgerows) often does require an environmental permit. These landscape elements are also included on the municipal tree list, but are not always visible on the municipal tree list website.
Very drastic pruning, such as removing the crown from a tree, is also felling. Only the owner of a tree can apply for (or must authorize) an environmental permit.
What does it cost?
For processing permit applications, you pay fees. These amount to €110.35.
How does it work?
- You can only apply for an environmental permit if you are the owner of the land on which the tree is located.
- The municipality may stipulate that you can only cut down the tree if you plant a new one. The municipality will then also determine the time limit within which you must do this.
Permit denied
You will not get a permit if the municipality considers other interests more important. These interests may have to do with:
- conservation of nature;
- cultural history;
- the landscape, and/or
- town or villagescape.
What to do.
- Always consult with local residents first to see if they object to the tree being cut down.
- Through the Environment Counter, check whether you need a permit.
- If it appears that you need a permit, you can apply for it directly with your DigiD (individuals) or eHerkenning (companies).
- Please indicate in your application:
- What kind of tree is involved;
- Where the tree stands;
- Whether one or more trees are involved;
- How you want to handle the felling;
- Why you want to cut down the tree.
- If the tree is diseased, attach a statement from an arborist.
On the site www.groeneparelsinleudal.nl you can check if the tree to be cut is included in the municipal Tree List. You can also contact the municipality.
How long does it take?
- Within 8 weeks, you will be notified whether you will receive the permit.
- The municipality may extend this period once by 6 weeks.
- If the municipality does not decide within the deadline, you will automatically receive the permit.
Objecting
If you disagree with the municipality's decision, you can object within 6 weeks.
Additional information
Tree felling requirements may result from the General Ordinance, the Nature Conservancy Act or the zoning plan.
General Regulation
The General Ordinance (Av) states that it is forbidden to cut down wood stands listed in the municipal Tree List. The tree stand is usually a tree. It can also be a woodlot, such as a ribbon of shrubs and bushes. Hedges or hedges are not considered a wooded bank. Loose shrubs and bushes are not considered trees because no trunk is formed. Shrubs and bushes branch directly above the ground.
Nature Protection Act
Do you want to cut down a timber stand (forest) or a row of trees in the outlying area? If so, the Nature Protection Act probably also applies. For example, it is prohibited to perform felling activities during the bird nesting season (roughly from March 15 to July 15). This if nests and/or nesting birds are present.
Zoning
Zoning plans contain regulations to protect timber stands. The regulations in the zoning plan must indicate why protection of a wood stand is desirable from a planning or urban development perspective.
Tip: If you apply for an environmental permit for felling, third parties may object to the permit. First consult with local residents whether they object to the felling of a tree. The municipality has a list of valuable trees. Check with the municipality first if the tree you want to cut is on this list.
Consult the municipal tree list at: www.groeneparelsinleudal.nl.