Felling permission for ash dieback

Ash dieback is a serious tree disease caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and is widespread across Scotland.

It affects ash trees of all ages and can lead to

• leaf loss
• crown dieback
• structural weakness

This increases the risk of branch or tree failure.

As infected trees decline, they can become unsafe and may need to be managed or removed.

Management focuses on

• safety
• protecting people and infrastructure
• supporting long‑term woodland resilience

Find out more about ash dieback, how it spreads, and how it is managed in Scotland:

In most cases, you will need felling permission before cutting down ash trees.

You may not need permission if:

• a specific legal exemption applies
• felling is required by law or formal notice
• trees are below size or volume thresholds

If you are unsure, apply for permission or contact Scottish Forestry before felling.

There is no automatic exemption simply because a tree is infected with ash dieback.

However, existing exemptions may apply, depending on:

• tree size or timber volume
• location
• risk to people, property or infrastructure
• who is carrying out the work (e.g. a statutory undertaker)

If you rely on an exemption, you must be able to prove it applies.

If you cannot clearly demonstrate this, you should apply for felling permission before starting work.

You should keep records for 3 years, including:

• surveys or inspections
• photographs
• notes explaining decisions taken before work begins

Even if felling permission is not required, you must check whether restrictions apply to your site.

The Land Information Search to check for:

• designated sites such as SPAs, SACs or SSSIs
• scheduled monuments
• archaeological or cultural heritage features
• other designated or sensitive areas

Use the Land Information Search

Local Planning Controls

You should check with your local authority for any planning controls, such as:

• Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)
• conservation areas

It is your responsibility to make sure all required permissions are in place before work begins.

You must also ensure your work does not disturb protected species such as red squirrels, bats or badgers.

Tree felling and tree surgery are high‑risk activities and regularly result in serious injury and fatalities.

Ash trees affected by ash dieback can be especially dangerous because:

• structural weakness may not be obvious from the outside
• branches and stems can fail unpredictably
• trees may collapse during work or in poor weather

Only trained and experienced professionals should carry out tree work.

Landowners and those arranging tree work have a responsibility to ensure that work is planned and carried out safely.

Local authorities and roads authorities are responsible for keeping public land, spaces and the road network safe.

This may include

• parks
• country parks
• public open spaces
• roadside land
• road verges

In some situations, trees affected by ash dieback may be felled without felling permission, for example, where:

• felling is required under The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984

  Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (legislation.gov.uk)

• a tree poses an immediate danger to people, property or road users and urgent action is necessary

Where possible, authorities should:

• regularly assess the condition of ash trees on land or networks they manage
• keep records of inspections, decisions and any reliance on exemptions
• plan works in advance rather than relying on emergency action

Authorities are encouraged to have an Ash Dieback Action Plan in place for the areas they manage.

If there is any uncertainty about whether felling permission is required, authorities should contact Scottish Forestry before carrying out planned felling.

Ash Dieback: Action Plan Toolkit for Scotland (Tree Council website)

Ash trees are important for wildlife and landscapes.

Where ash trees are felled under a felling permission, restocking is a mandatory requirement.

Restocking proposals must be included as part of the felling permission application and carried out in accordance with the approved permission.

Where ash trees are felled under an exemption, we strongly encourage replanting affected areas where it is practical to do so, using suitable alternative species.

Further guidance on restocking and woodland management following ash dieback is available from Scottish Forestry.