Cutting down a tree

In a number of cases, an environmental permit is required for felling trees. Different rules apply to trees owned by private individuals than to trees owned by government bodies.

DigiDApply for an environmental permit

An environmental permit

An environmental permit is required for trees on the grounds of the municipality, province, Rijkswaterstaat, Wetterskip Fryslan and ProRail/NS-vastgoed in the following cases:

  • The general rule is that for cutting down trees with a trunk circumference of 75 cm or more, measured at a height of 1.30 m, an environmental permit must be applied for.
  • You must also apply for an environmental permit for the families of ginkgoales, taxaceae and pineales (with a trunk circumference of 75 cm or more). Almost all conifers, such as the swamp cypress, pine, spruce, larch and cedar, belong to the family of pineales.

An environmental permit is required for trees on private property in the following cases:

  • The general rule is that for cutting down trees with a trunk circumference of more than 75 cm, measured at a height of 1.30 m, an environmental permit must be applied for.
  • You must also apply for an environmental permit for the families of ginkgoales, taxaceae and pineales (with a trunk circumference of more than 75 cm). Almost all conifers, such as the swamp cypress, pine, spruce, larch and cedar, belong to the family of pineales.

No environmental permit required

An environmental permit is not required for trees on the grounds of the municipality, province, Rijkswaterstaat, Wetterskip Fryslan and ProRail/NS-vastgoed in the following cases:

  • Trees with a trunk size of less than 75 cm, measured at a height of 1.30 m.
  • Trees that belong to the cypress family. These are, for example, cultivated "garden conifers", namely: cypress, dwarf cypress, hybrids of cypress and dwarf cypress, arborvitae (Thuja), Thujopsis, Libocedrus, and juniper (Juniperus).

An environmental permit is not required for trees on private property in the following cases:

  • Ordinary trees with a trunk circumference of less than 150 cm, measured at a height of 1.30 m.
  • Espaliers with a trunk circumference of less than 100 cm, measured at a height of 1.30 m.
  • Tree species such as willow, poplar, alder, birch, and trees belonging to the cypress family. These include cultivated "garden conifers", such as: cypress, dwarf cypress, hybrids of cypress and dwarf cypress, arborvitae (Thuja), Thujopsis, Libocedrus, and juniper (Juniperus).

Tree banks and hedgerows

Trees that are part of a tree line or tree wall may - regardless of their trunk size - only be cut down after a felling notification to the municipality. These trees are periodically cut down as a form of maintenance, usually every 15 to 25 years, so they rarely reach a trunk size of more than 75 cm. The felling notification will be accepted if measures are taken to ensure the continued existence of the tree line or tree wall. A felling or construction permit is always required for the definitive cutting (uprooting) of a tree line or tree wall.

How does it work?

  • Always consult with local residents first to see if they object to the tree being cut down.
  • You can check whether you need a permit via the Environment Desk.
  • If it turns out that you need a permit, you can apply for it directly with your DigiD (for individuals) or eHerkenning (for businesses).
  • Please state the following in your application:
    • what type of tree it is;
    • where the tree is located;
    • or whether it concerns one or more trees;
    • how you want to approach the tree felling;
    • Why you want to cut down the tree.
  • If the tree is diseased, please add a statement from a tree expert.

Conditions

The municipality may stipulate that you can only cut down the tree if you plant a new one. They will also determine the timeframe within which you must do this.

You will receive a notification within 8 weeks whether you will be granted 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. If you do not agree with the municipality's decision, you can object to the municipality within 6 weeks.

Make an appointment

To discuss in advance or for assistance with submitting an environmental permit, you can make an appointment with the Building and Housing Desk.

Permit refused

You will not receive a permit if the municipality considers certain other interests to be more important. For example:

  • the importance of nature;
  • the tree has cultural-historical value;
  • the tree has landscape value;
  • the tree has value for urban and village beauty;
  • the tree has value for quality of life;
  • the tree is a defining feature.

Dutch elm disease

Do not remove diseased elm trees yourself. If you would like to have a diseased elm tree removed free of charge, please register on the website of SIF (Stichting Iepenwacht Fryslân) . To prevent contamination, the elm tree must be removed by a certified company.

Nature Conservation Act

Everyone has a duty of care with regard to protected plants and animals. If there are protected animals, such as bats, living in a tree for part of the year, it may not be cut down. Birds may not be disturbed during the breeding season (March 15 - July 15). The municipality can advise you on how to deal with this. Agreements in private law deeds, such as sales deeds, take precedence over public law, such as the felling rules in the APV (General Local Bylaw). Such a notarial deed may stipulate that a tree may not be cut down.

Forest Act

For felling trees that fall under the Forest Act, you must submit a felling notification to the Province of Fryslân. You must submit this notification when felling trees outside the built-up area, among other things.