Tree felling

Cutting down trees requires an environmental permit in a number of cases. Different rules apply to trees owned by private individuals than to trees owned by governments.

DigiDApply for environmental permit

An environmental permit

Trees on municipal, provincial, Department of Public Works, Wetterskip Fryslan and ProRail/NS property require an environmental permit in the following cases:

  • The general rule is that felling trees with a trunk size of 75 cm and more, measured at a height of 1.30 m, requires an environmental permit.
  • Also for the families of ginkgo, yew and pine, you must apply for an environmental permit (for trunk size of 75 cm and more). By the way, almost all conifers, such as the swamp cypress, pine, spruce, larch and cedar belong to the pine family.

Trees on private property require an environmental permit in the following cases:

  • The general rule is that an environmental permit must be applied for when felling trees with a trunk circumference of more than 150 cm, measured at a height of 1.30 m.
  • You must also apply for an environmental permit for trees belonging to the ginkgo, yew, and pine families (if the trunk circumference exceeds 150 cm). Almost all conifers, such as the swamp cypress, pine, spruce, larch, and cedar, belong to the pine family.

No environmental permit required

Trees on municipal, provincial, Department of Public Works, Wetterskip Fryslan and ProRail/NS property do not require an environmental permit in the following cases:

  • Trees with a trunk circumference of less than 75 cm measured at 1.30 m in height.
  • Trees belonging to the cyprusaceae. These include cultivated "garden conifers," namely: cypress, Dwarf cypress, crosses of Cypress and Dwarf cypress, Tree of Life (Thuja), Thujopsis, Libocedrus and Juniper (Juniperus).

Trees on private property do not require an environmental permit in the following cases:

  • Ordinary trees with a trunk size of less than 150 cm measured at 1.30 m height.
  • Leguminous trees with a stem size of less than 100 cm, measured at 1.30 m in height.
  • Tree species such as willow, poplar, alder, birch and trees belonging to the cyprusaceae. These include cultivated "garden conifers," namely: cypress, Dwarf cypress, crosses of Cypress and Dwarf cypress, Tree of Life (Thuja), Thujopsis, Libocedrus and Juniper (Juniperus).

Tree lines and hedgerows

Trees, which are part of a tree hedge or tree wall, may - regardless of their trunk size - only be felled after a felling notification to the municipality. This is because these trees are felled periodically by way of maintenance, usually every 15 to 25 years, so that they rarely reach a trunk size of more than 75 cm. The felling notification is accepted, if measures are taken to ensure the continued existence of the tree hedge or tree wall. A felling or construction permit is always required for the permanent felling (uprooting) of a wooded hedge or wooded embankment.

How does it work?

  • Always consult with local residents first to see if they object to the tree being cut down.
  • Through the Environment Counter, check whether you need a permit.
  • If it turns out that you need a permit, you can apply for it directly with your DigiD (individuals) or eHerkenning (companies).
  • Please indicate in your application:
    • What kind of tree is involved;
    • Where the tree stands;
    • Whether one or more trees are involved;
    • How you want to handle the felling;
    • Why you want to cut down the tree.
  • If the tree is diseased, attach a statement from an arborist.

Terms

The municipality can determine that you can only cut down the tree if you plant a new one. It also determines the time limit within which you must do so.

Within 8 weeks, you will be notified whether you will receive the permit. The municipality can extend this period once by 6 weeks. Does the municipality not decide within the deadline? Then you will automatically receive the permit. Do you disagree with the decision of the municipality? Then you can file an objection with the municipality within 6 weeks.

Making an appointment

To discuss in advance or for assistance with submitting an environmental permit, make an appointment with the Building and Wenjen desk.

Permit denied

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

  • the importance of nature;
  • the tree has cultural-historical value;
  • the tree has landscape value;
  • the tree has value for town and village beauty;
  • the tree has value for livability;
  • the tree is iconic.

Elm Disease

Don't remove diseased elms yourself. Would you like to have a diseased elm removed free of charge? Then sign up on the SIF (Stichting Iepenwacht Fryslân) website. To prevent infection, the elm should be removed by a certified company.

Nature conservation

Everyone has a duty of care with respect to protected plants and animals. If protected animals, for example bats, reside in a tree for part of the year, no felling is allowed. Birds may not be disturbed during the breeding season (March 15-July 15). The municipality can advise you how to deal with this. Agreements in private law, such as deeds of sale, take precedence over public law, such as the felling rules in the APV. Such a notarial deed may stipulate that a tree may not be cut down.

For more information, visit the Province of Fryslân website at .

Felling trees outside built-up areas

To fell trees outside built-up areas, you must submit a felling notification to the Province of Fryslân. You must submit this notification when felling trees outside built-up areas, among other things.