Tree Felling
Forestry in Ireland operates within a legal and regulatory framework. This is necessary in order to protect forests and also to ensure that forestry operations and activities are carried out in compliance with the principles of sustainable forest management. A felling licence granted by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine provides authority under the Forestry Act 2014 to fell or otherwise remove a tree or trees and to thin a forest for silvicultural reasons.
The information presented below aims to provide a clear understanding of the circumstances where tree removal or felling is permitted.
Tree Felling and Reforestation Policy
- Tree Felling and Reforestation Policy (pdf 1,111Kb)
New Tree Felling Requirements
- New Tree Felling Requirements Information Note (pdf 223Kb)
Exempted Tree Information Note
- Exempted Tree Information Note (pdf 607Kb)
Tree Felling Licence Application Guidance Notes
- Tree Felling Licence Application Guidance Notes (pdf 630Kb)
Frequently Asked Questions
- FAQ - Tree Felling (pdf 685Kb)
Licences to Fell Trees
Application Form
- Application for a Licence to Fell Trees (pdf 615Kb)
Supplementary Application Form
- Felling Application Form 2 - more than one applicant (pdf 411Kb)
- Felling Application Form 3 - trees proposed to be felled additional rows (pdf 355Kb)
- Felling Application Form 4 - proposed replanting additional rows (pdf 347Kb)
Guidance Notes
- Tree Felling Licence Application Guidance Notes (pdf 630Kb)
Example Apllication Forms
- Sample Felling Licence Application Individual Trees or Line of Trees (pdf 8,049Kb)
- Sample Felling Licence Application Thinning and Clearfell (pdf 7,941Kb)
Site Notice
- Tree Felling Site Notice (doc 22Kb)
Enquiries on making an application for Tree Felling Licences should be addressed to:
Post: Felling Section, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford, Y35 PN52
Email:felling.forestservice@agriculture.gov.ie
Information and enquiries relating to tree felling licences can be sought from:
Helen Spencer
Tel: 353-(0)53-9170371
Email: helen.spencer@agriculture.gov.ie
Patricia Cassidy
Tel: 353-(0)53-9170338
Email: patricia.cassidy@agriculture.gov.ie
Janet Farrell
Tel: 353-(0)53-9165589
Email: Janet.farrell@agriculture.gov.ie
Joe O'Donnell
Tel: 353-(0)53-9165509
Email: joe.odonnell@agriculture.gov.ie
Sinead Stafford
Tel: 353-(0)53-9170349
Email: sinead.stafford@agriculture.gov.ie
