It does not include felling that is part of redesigning existing woodlands to meet the UK Forestry Standard.
The UK Forestry Standard, 5th edition
Why woodland removal matters
Woodland in Scotland can be affected by development pressures such as:
- new housing
- infrastructure
- energy projects
To ensure woodland is not lost unnecessarily, Scotland applies clear rules and controls on when and how woodland can be removed.
These controls:
- help protect existing trees
- encourage better planning outcomes
- require compensatory planting when removal cannot be avoided
Strong woodland removal policies are key to maintaining Scotland’s woodland cover for future generations.
Legal requirement
It is an offence to fell trees without permission from Scottish Forestry unless an exemption applies.
Before carrying out any non‑exempt felling, you must obtain either a:
- Felling Permission
- Felling Direction
