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Apply for Tree Felling Licence
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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The removal of trees or thinning of forestry requires a licence unless the type of felling planned is exempt under the law. This is necessary in order to protect the environment and also to ensure that forestry operations and activities are carried out in compliance with the principles of sustainable forest management.
In all cases, it is the responsibility of the land owner or the person felling the tree to ensure that they are acting within the law.
In a number of common scenarios, a tree felling licence is not required. These include the removal of:
- a tree in an urban area provided it is not under a protection order
- a tree within 30 metres of a building but excluding any building built after the trees were planted
- a tree less than 5 years of age that came about through natural regeneration and removed from a field as part of the normal maintenance of agricultural land - but not where the tree is standing in a hedgerow
- a tree uprooted in a nursery for transplantation
- a tree of the willow or poplar species planted and maintained solely for fuel under a short rotation coppice
- a tree outside a forest within 10 metres of a public road and which, in the opinion of the owner is dangerous to persons using the public road because of its age or condition
- a tree outside a forest of the hawthorn or blackthorn species
- a tree outside a forest in a hedgerow and felled for the purposes of its trimming, provided that the tree does not exceed 20 centimetres in diameter when measured 1.3 metres from the ground
- a tree outside a forest the removal of which is specified in a grant of planning permission
- a tree outside a forest on an agricultural holding removed by the owner for use on that holding, provided:
- it does not form part of a decorative avenue or ring of trees
- its volume does not exceed 3 cubic metres
- the removal of trees for use on the farm does not exceed 15 cubic metres in any period of 12 months.
It should be noted that the three above exemptions do not apply in all circumstance, for example when trees are more than 150 years old or are close to certain protected structures, monuments, archaeological sites, specific environmentally sensitive areas. In all cases, the land owner or the person felling the tree must ensure an exemption applies to their particular circumstances. If you live in an urban area, you may need to contact your local authority to see if there is a preservation order on the tree.
The department has produced further detailed guidance on the felling of trees and on how to apply for a tree felling licence .
The Department does not charge for a Tree Felling Licence.
Completed applications forms and maps should be posted to:
Felling Section
Address:
Johnstown Castle
, Co. Wexford
, Y35 PN52
Phone number:
Summary:
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Application for a Licence to Fell Trees
Use this form to apply for a licence to fell trees.
Download
Felling Application Form 2 - more than one applicant
Use this form when more than one applicant is applying for a felling licence.
Download
Felling Application Form 3
Felling Application Form 3 - trees proposed to be felled additional rows.
Download
Felling Application Form 4
Felling Application Form 4 - proposed replanting additional rows.
Download