Felling licence exemptions

There are five categories of felling licence exemption:

Further details are provided in the table below.

Please contact Forestry Commission Scotland before felling to confirm that a licence is not necessary.

Exemption category	Exemption details
Location	You do not need a licence to fell trees in: a garden an orchard a churchyard or a designated open space (Commons Act 1899)
Type of tree work	You do not need a licence to carry out: lopping topping pruning pollarding
Volume and diameter	You do not need a licence: To fell less than 5 cubic metres in a calendar quarter (Please note that you cannot sell more than 2 cubic metres in a calendar quarter); For trees that have the following diameters when measured 1.3 metres from the ground are: 8 cm or less 10 cm or less for thinnings 15cm or less for cutting coppice
Other permissions	You do not need a licence if you have a current permission under: An approved Dedication Scheme plan; or Planning permission (granted under the Town and Country Planning Act).
Legal and statutory requirements	You do not need a licence if you need to fell trees: that are dangerous or to prevent a nuisance; to prevent the spread of a pest or disease in accordance with a statutory notice served by a Forestry Commission Plant Health Officer; to comply with an Act of Parliament; or to enable you to carry out work as a statutory undertaker.