Felling trees outside built-up areas

When must you file a notification?

Whether you need to file a tree-felling notification depends on where the trees or shrubs are located, how many of them there are, and what you plan to do with them. Each municipality defines in its environment plan (omgevingsplan) where exactly the built-up area for tree-felling lies (bebouwingscontour houtkap). This is sometimes the same as the built-up area and sometimes slightly larger. Are the trees or standing timber you want to cut down outside the defined area? Then you may have to file a felling notification.

You also may need to file a felling notification if the trees and timber you want to cut are part of a stand of trees. A stand of trees is an independent group of trees, shrubs, coppice, or grove. You must submit a felling notification if this stand has an area of 1,000 m2 or more, or consists of a row of more than 20 trees.

Are the trees and shrubs located outside the built-up area for tree-felling and part of a stand of trees? Then you must file a felling report:

• if you fell, cut down or remove the trees or timber from the ground, or
• if you do anything else that causes the trees or timber to die or become badly damaged (for example, digging in the ground and destroying the roots)

You need to file the felling notification no later than 4 weeks before you start felling.

If a fire, storm, or disease has destroyed the trees and timber, you file the notification after the trees are destroyed.

When do you not have to file a tree-felling notification?

You do not need to file a felling notification if the trees or timber are within the defined built-up area for tree-felling. Sometimes you do need an environment and planning permit (omgevingsvergunning). Always ask your municipality exactly where the built-up area for tree-felling is located. And check what rules apply there. You can find these rules in the environment plan, the tree-felling ordinance, or the General Municipal By-law (APV).

The Environmental Activities Decree (Besluit activiteiten leefomgeving, Bal) also sets out a number of exceptions to the tree-felling notification requirement (in Dutch). For example, if:

• the trees or timber are in your yard or garden
• you want to cut down poplars or willow trees lining a road
• you want to create more living space for other trees and bushes (thinning)
• you work according to a government-approved code of conduct (in Dutch)
• trees and bushes grown specifically for harvesting fruits or nuts
• conifers clearly intended as Christmas trees and not older than 20 years
• nursery stock

Sometimes you need to file a felling notification and also apply for an environment and planning permit (omgevingsvergunning). For example, if you want to cut down a tree that is outside the defined built-up area for tree-felling and is registered as having national importance and historic value (in Dutch).

Tree-felling notification and permit check

Go to the Environment and Planning Portal (Omgevingsloket, in Dutch) to check if you need an environment and planning permit (omgevingsvergunning). The Environment and Planning Portal shows which rules apply in your municipality, province, or water authority. You can immediately file a notification or apply for a permit.

Reforesting

Have you filed a felling notice and cut down trees or standing timber? Then you must plant new trees and timber on the same land (in Dutch). You must do this within 3 years. Do you transfer the land to a new owner or user within those 3 years? Then you must inform them of the reforestation obligation. The new owner must comply with this.

Apply for a situation-specific regulation if you need more than 3 years

In some cases, it may not be possible for you to plant new trees or shrubs within 3 years. Or to do so on the same ground. In that case, you can apply for a situation-specific regulation. This allows you to plant the trees in another location, or at a later date.

Who assesses the tree-felling notification?

Usually, the province will assess your notification and application for a customised regulation. But are you cutting down trees to work on, for example, motorways, railways, or the energy and gas network? If so, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) will assess your notification and application. Read the RVO information about felling trees and reforestation after felling (in Dutch).