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. The overall process is described in the Quick Guide and full details are available in the booklet Tree Felling - Getting Permission (PDF 1748kb). 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 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 as 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. 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. A felling licence for thinning trees will be issued without a restocking condition. - Tree Preservation Orders (TPO)
You must inform the Forestry Commission if the trees to be felled are covered by a Tree Preservation Order or are located in a Conservation Area.
Documentation
Tree Felling - Getting Permission (PDF 1748kb)
Felling licence application form: England (PDF 86kb)
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