Exemptions

 

Felling Licence exemptions can be grouped in the following way:

• Location
• Type of tree work
• Volume and diameter
• Other permissions
• Legal and statutory requirements

Use the information below to check whether a licence is required. Please contact the Forestry Commission before felling to check that a licence is not necessary.  Use the Contact Us button to find out the address of the nearest Forestry Commission office.

Exemptions
Location	You do not need a licence to fell trees in: a garden an orchard a churchyard or a designated open space (Commons Act 1899)
Type of Tree Work	You do not need a licence to carry out: lopping  topping  pruning pollarding
Volume and Diameter	You do not need a licence: To fell less than 5 cubic metres in a calendar quarter (Please note that you cannot sell more than 2 cubic metres in a calendar quarter) For trees that have the following diameters when measured 1.3 metres from the ground 8 cm or less  10 cm or less for thinnings 15cm or less for cutting coppice
Other Permissions	You do not need a licence if you have a current permission under:  An approved Dedication Scheme plan Planning permission (granted under the Town and Country Planning Act)
Legal and statutory requirements	You do not need a licence if you need to fell trees: that are dangerous or to prevent a nuisance   to prevent the spread of a quarantine pest or disease in accordance with a notice served by a Forestry Commission Plant Health Officer   to comply with an Act of Parliament to enable you to carry out work as a statutory undertaker

 

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)