There are five categories of felling licence exemption:
- Location
- Type of tree work
- Volume and diameter
- Other permissions
- Legal and statutory requirements
Further details are provided in the table below. Please contact Forestry Commission Scotland before felling to confirm that a licence is not necessary.
| Exemption category | Exemption details |
| 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 are:
- 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; or
- 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 pest or disease in accordance with a statutory notice served by a Forestry Commission Plant Health Officer;
- to comply with an Act of Parliament; or
- to enable you to carry out work as a statutory undertaker.
|
