A licence from the Forestry Commission is normally required to fell growing trees (though not for lopping and topping), but in any calendar quarter up to 5 cubic metres may be felled by an occupier or his/her agent, without a licence, provided that not more than 2 cubic metres are sold. A licence is not needed if any of the following conditions apply:
- The felling is in accordance with an approved plan of operations under one of the Forestry commission grant schemes.
- The trees are in a garden, orchard, churchyard or public open space.
- The trees are all below 8cm (3”) in diameter, measured 1.3m (4’3”) from the ground; or in the case of thinnings, below 10cm (4”) in diameter; or in the case of coppice or underwood, below 15cm (6”) in diameter.
- The trees are interfering with permitted development or statutory work by public bodies.
- The trees are dead, dangerous, causing a nuisance or are badly affected by Dutch elm disease.
- The felling is done under an Act of Parliament.
