Reporting tree-felling and obligatory reforestation

If you want to cut down 20 trees or more (or arrange for this to be done) in an existing forest in the Netherlands, you must report this intention in advance to the Regulations Department (Dienst Regelingen, DR) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL&I). This reporting obligation also applies if the trees cover an area of 1000 square metres or more.

Reforestation

You are obliged to reforest the land formerly occupied by the trees within a period of 3 years. If you transfer the land in the meantime to a new owner or user, you must inform them of the reforestation obligation. You can submit a request for dispensation from, deferral or compensation for the reforestation obligation.

In some municipalities, tree felling requires a tree-felling licence in addition to a tree-felling report.

Exemption

If you plant new trees in order to produce wood, you can apply to the DR Help desk for an exemption from the obligation to report tree-felling and the obligatory reforestation. The exemption is subject to the condition that you (or the owner or manager succeeding you) have the tree belts cut down within 40 years of submission of the application.

Submitting a digital report with the Message Box

With the Message Box you can submit a digital felling report to DR-Loket or submit a request as a result of the replanting obligation. You can find the Message Box of DR-Loket under the name of ‘Regulations Department’.