What to expect with felling

To gain a felling permission, you have to apply to us and that application must carry certain information about your proposals.

Felling should not be started until you have received your permission.

Felling trees, which may have been in a natural habitat or recreational space for a long time, is always a decisive topic.

Before applying to fell trees, landowners must assess any sensitivities or constraints. They should also engage with groups or people who could affect or be affected by the operations.

The information from this engagement, along with area maps and replanting proposals, must be included in the application.

Once received, we assess the proposal to ensure it meets the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) which includes legal requirements. It sets out the standard for sustainable forest management including biodiversity and protections on site.

We will discuss any changes required with the applicant, to ensure the proposals meet the necessary standard.

Once evaluated, applications are placed on the public register for 28 days. This allows the public and other stakeholders to comment, including:

• government agencies like:

  • Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)

  • Historic Environment Scotland (HES)

• local authorities

After consultation, we pass relevant issues to the applicant for mitigation. If the proposal meets the required standards, we will grant permission. We might set out conditions, such as buffer zones or specific timings for operations.

The felling permission will have a set period for tree felling - usually within two years of the issue date. Replanting or restocking the site is also usually required within two years of felling.

The landowner can decide when to start work in the felling period, as long as there are no conditions on the timing of operations. This could depend on how you are selling the timber or what the market demand is.

Forestry operations require careful planning, similar to many construction operations.

Health and safety laws apply to the forestry industry and this is regulated by the Health and Safety Executive. 

Forestry operations (Health and Safety Executive website)

Further information for guidance for information and managing health and safety in forestry is available on the Forestry Industry Safety Accord (FISA) website. 

Guidance on Managing Health and Safety in Forestry (Forestry Industry Safety Accord website)

Forest visitors should be aware of site risks and their responsibilities under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code to enjoy responsible access

Health and safety laws apply to tree harvesting. Dangers must be clearly signposted and risk assessments in place. Many forestry operators are members of Forestry Industry Safety Accord (FISA), who have developed industry standard guidance.

Environmental risks should also be considered. This includes preventing muddy runoff into watercourses. 

Forestry harvesting is a precise process. Machines measure trees, record size volume, and cut them into different lengths for timber products.

The felled timber is removed and stacked by the roadside ready for collection by timber lorries. Transport management plan should be used to assess the route these lorries take.

Timber Transport management plans may be required to assess the road that timber transport takes. If any roads are not agreed timber transport routes, you will likely need to engage with your local authority to agree a transport plan.

After felling operations, leftover branches and stumps are often left on the site to breakdown and release nutrients to the soil. Deadwood also provides valuable habitat for many wildlife species.

Most harvested sites require replanting.

To do this, excavators might prepare land before planting. Left over material may be used to provide shelter for young trees and mounds formed to enable the trees to be more easily planted by hand and provide a weed free space to allow it to establish more easily.

The replacement trees should be planted before the agreed restocking(replanting) date as agreed on the permission to fell the trees.

The planting season runs between November to May, when trees are dormant and can be handled. Forest managers should assess the conditions on an annual and site by site basis to ensure the planting is successful.

The replanted trees must be suitably protected from pests and disease, including deer, voles, and weevils. Planting site management should ensure the trees can successfully establish and further operations may include weeding or replacement of dead trees.

We may assess restock sites to ensure replanting is completed to the required standard and may take enforcement action if the agreed restocking plan has not been carried out as agreed in the permission.

Over time, forests are left to mature - either for future productive woodland or other purposes.