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Guidance

Tree felling: getting permission

Find out when you need a felling licence to fell trees, and what we do if trees are felled without a licence. This can apply to your land, or land you manage.

Updates to this page

From:
Forestry Commission
Published:
1 August 2007
Last updated:
21 August 2025
Show all updates

  1. Added a new section on windblown trees (2.6) and updated sections on: hedgerow regulations (3.4), restocking conditions after felling (6.5 and 6.71) and selling land with a felling licence (6.9).

  2. Added links to more information on tree felling and changed page template type from 'statutory guidance' to 'guidance' for clarity.

  3. Added an web-accessible version of the guide.

  4. Update to new version of the leaflet.

  5. The 'Tree felling: getting permission' guide has been updated.

  6. The updated guide has been added to this page.

  7. First published.

Documents

Tree felling: getting permission

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Tree felling: getting permission

PDF, 4.58 MB, 28 pages

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Details

This guidance contains the following:

  • what is a felling licence for?
  • exceptions from the need for a felling licence
  • environmental legislation and protection
  • other controls on tree felling
  • applying for a licence
  • considering a felling licence application
  • penalties for felling without a licence
  • law

Read more information on tree felling:

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