Cutting down trees in the UK is a serious matter and requires careful consideration. Before anyone can cut down trees, they may need to obtain a logging license from the Forestry Commission. If the trees to be cut are covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or are in a conservation area, you must inform the Forestry Commission when applying for a tree cutting license. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are also protected by law and require a logging license and Supplemental Notice of Operations (SNO) to provide detailed information on how you will protect SSSI's interests while cutting trees.
If you are proposing to cut trees within an SSSI, you must also complete a Supplemental Notice of Operations (SNO) to provide detailed information on how you will protect SSSI's interests while you are cutting trees. As a forest owner or manager, you may need to consider creating a detailed forest management plan that meets the standards and requirements set out in the UK Forest Standard. This plan can detail long-term tree cutting proposals and use the approved plan to apply for a logging license for up to 10 years. A forest management plan will also support your requests for forest funding under the Field Administration (CS) scheme and other grant funds.
It is vital to remember that it is illegal to cut down or cut down a tree if it will affect nesting birds. If there is no valid license or other permit, or if the wrong trees are cut down, anyone involved can be prosecuted. If, while working on a tree in your garden, you cause injury or damage to a neighbor or your property, you will be liable. If the problem that led to the need to cut down the tree was that it was too large or that it grew too close to the property, be sure to remedy those problems by replanting by opting for a smaller growing tree species and planting further away from the property.
You can cut the branches of a neighbor's tree to the boundary point between its properties, provided that the tree is not under a conservation order. Find out if a tree already has one or request one by contacting your local council tree officer. Operators involved in logging trees should not place illegally harvested timber on the UK market and must use a due diligence system to collect information about the timber, including its species, quantity, supplier, country of harvest and compliance with applicable legislation. When it comes to cutting down trees in the UK, it is important to understand all of your legal obligations and responsibilities. Before any work is done on trees, make sure you have obtained all necessary permits and licenses and have taken all necessary precautions to ensure safety and compliance with applicable laws.
