Rhineland-palatinate citizens and business service

Tree felling permit / pruning / tree protection statutes

Source: BUS Rhineland-Palatinate (Line6PLus)

The municipalities can protect the existing tree population in the built-up municipal area by means of tree protection statutes. In order to cut down a tree, even on your own property, you will need a tree cutting permit in advance. The tree protection statutes of the city/municipality/municipality also regulate which tree species are protected, from which size the protection takes effect and which replacement measures you may have to provide in the event of felling.

In addition, natural monuments and other protected trees as well as trees and hedges that characterize the landscape may not be removed as landscape elements. In individual cases, additional species protection regulations or other legal requirements may apply.

Pruning is only permitted if it is gentle maintenance and topiary pruning to eliminate growth and/or maintain the health of the tree/shrub.

You can clarify which statutes and legal regulations must be observed in your case by contacting the lower nature conservation authority.

The responsibility for the tree protection statutes lies with the city / municipality / municipality. For information about the existence of a tree protection statute in your municipality and other questions about protected trees, please contact the lower nature conservation authority. You can find this in the administration of your district or. of your county town.

informal application,
Power of attorney from the property owner (name, address) or usufructuary if the applicant is not a property owner or not a usufructuary,
Number of trees to be felled / pruned,
Indication of the trunk circumference of the tree(s) applied for (measured at a height of 1.30 m),
Justification of the application for felling / pruning / nature of the intervention / to ensure traffic safety,
Information on the presence of breeding or resting places of birds, bats and / or other animals,
Site plan or site sketch with location of the tree(s) to be felled or pruned.

This is governed by the applicable scale of charges.

Any fees and expenses incurred are charged in accordance with the Special Schedule of Fees for Authorities in the Field of Environmental Law, as amended from time to time.

Federal Nature Conservation Act
respective municipal tree protection statutes
State Nature Conservation Act

According to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, it is forbidden to cut down trees (outside of forests, short-rotation plantations and horticulturally used ground areas), hedges, living fences, bushes and other copses, in the period from 1. March until 30. September to cut off or to put on the stick. Land used for horticultural purposes also includes all types of home gardens. Permissible are gentle form and care cuts to eliminate the growth of plants or to maintain the health of trees. The competent authority may, upon request, authorize the felling of a tree even after 1. March allow for reasons of a necessary intervention in nature or to ensure traffic safety.
Responsible for this is the lower nature conservation authority (district administration resp. Municipality) in whose area the property is located.

In addition, some municipalities have tree protection statutes according to which certain tree species above a certain trunk circumference are specially protected. Details can be requested from the respective municipality, municipality, city.

Service description

Municipalities can protect existing trees in built-up areas by means of tree protection statutes. In order to cut down a tree, even on your own property, you then need a tree cutting permit in advance. The tree protection statutes of the city/community/municipality also regulate which tree species are protected, from which size the protection takes effect and which replacement measures you may have to provide in the event of felling.

In addition, natural monuments and other protected trees, as well as trees and hedges that characterize the landscape in the fields, may not be removed as landscape elements. In individual cases, additional species protection regulations or other legal requirements may apply.

Pruning is only permitted if it is a gentle maintenance and shape pruning to eliminate growth and / or maintain the health of the tree / shrub.

You can clarify which statutes and legal regulations are to be observed in your case by making an inquiry at the lower nature conservation authority.

Who do I need to contact?

The responsibility for tree protection statutes lies with the city / municipality / municipality. About the existence of a tree protection statute in your municipality as well as because of other questions to protected trees the lower nature protection authority gives information. These can be found in the administration of your district or. of your district city.

What documents are required?

informal application,
Power of attorney of the owner of the land (name, address) or of the person authorized to use the land, if the applicant is not the owner of the land or not the person authorized to use the land,
Number of trees to be felled / pruned,
Indication of the trunk circumference of the requested tree(s) (measured at a height of 1.30 m),
Justification of the application for felling / pruning / nature of the intervention / to ensure traffic safety,
Information on the presence of breeding or resting places of birds, bats and / or other animals,
Site plan or site sketch showing the location of the tree(s) to be felled or pruned.

What are the fees?

Based on the applicable schedule of fees.

Any fees and expenses incurred are charged in accordance with the Special List of Fees of the Authorities in the Field of Environmental Law, as amended.

Legal basis

Federal Nature Conservation Act
respective municipal tree protection statutes
State Nature Conservation Act

Legal remedy

What else should I know?

According to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, it is forbidden to cut trees (outside of forests, short-rotation plantations and horticulturally used land), hedges, living fences, shrubs and other woody plants, in the period from 1. March to 30. September to be cut off or put on the stick. Land used for horticultural purposes also includes all types of home gardens. Permissible are gentle form and maintenance cuts to eliminate the growth of plants or to maintain the health of trees. The competent authority may, upon application, permit the felling of a tree even after the 1. March permit for reasons of a necessary intervention in nature or to ensure traffic safety.
The lower nature conservation authority is responsible for this (district administration or. Municipality) in whose area the property is located.

In addition, there are tree protection statutes in some municipalities, according to which certain tree species are specially protected above a certain trunk circumference. Details on this can be asked at the respective municipality, association municipality, city.