Felling licences
To help protect Britain's forests, a felling licence from the Forestry Commission is required to fell trees. It is an offence to fell trees without a licence, if an exemption does not apply. A Quick Guide to the overall process is available - use the link on the left hand menu. (Refer to the booklet Tree Felling - Getting Permission )
Exemptions
Everyone involved in the felling of trees, the owner, agent, timber merchant or contractor must ensure that a licence has been issued before any felling is carried out, unless one of the exemptions apply. Refer to the Exemptions page for details of which types of felling do NOT require a licence.
Applying for a licence
If none of the exemptions apply, you must complete an application for a felling licence.
Penalties
It is an offence to fell trees without a licence where one is required. If there is no licence or other valid permission, or if the wrong trees are felled, anyone involved can be prosecuted.
Other legal controls
There are also other legal controls on tree felling mainly covered by Tree Preservation Orders and the Hedgerow Regulations. This legislation is administered by local planning authorities. Controls also exist that apply to the movement of timber.
Additional information
- Grant schemes
An application to fell trees can be made as part of a grant scheme application. A separate felling licence application is not required. A felling licence will be issued with the grant scheme contract. - Conditions on a felling licence
A felling licence will normally include conditions that the felled area must be restocked and the trees maintained for a period not exceeding ten years. The Forestry Commission will discuss any proposed restocking condition with the applicant before a licence is issued. A felling licence issued for thinning trees will be issued without a restocking condition. Only in exceptional circumstances will a felling licence be issued to fell trees without subsequent restocking. Such an application will be assessed under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) Regulations 1999. - Tree Preservation Orders
You must check with the local authority if there is a Tree Preservation Order on the trees to be felled or if the trees are in a Conservation Area.
Always check with the Forestry Commission if you think that you do not need a licence
- Everyone involved with felling trees is responsible for checking that a licence is required
- Applicants must check with the local authority if there is a Tree Preservation Order or the trees are in a Conservation Area
- If there is no licence or other valid permission, or if the wrong trees are felled, anyone involved can be prosecuted
Tree Felling - Getting Permission (1748k - pdf)
Charter standard statement for felling licensing (201k - pdf)
Felling licence application forms :
England (86k - pdf)
Scotland (86k - pdf)
Wales (80k - pdf)
