Not all logging operations in the forest require a felling certificate

In what cases is it allowed to cut down a forest without requesting a felling certificate!?

To start logging in the forest, you must obtain approval from the State Forest Service (VMD), which confirms the legality of the planned activities and allows logging within the specified boundaries. The Forest Law outlines the cases where such approval is not required.

Without VMD approval, the forest owner may cut down:

• Dry and fallen trees, if the cross-sectional area of the remaining trees is greater than the minimum limit set in the regulations. If the number of dry trees exceeds this limit, forest restoration must be carried out. Although approval is not required for cutting down dry and fallen trees, the VMD must be notified of such work before it begins. If several cuttings are planned within a year, the VMD only needs to be informed once – before the first cutting.
• For young stands younger than 20 years and trees with a trunk diameter of less than 12 cm, approval is also not required. These rules are important when caring for young stands.
• Forest areas registered as plantations. Before such deforestation, the VMD must be informed of the planned activities. To certify the origin of timber cut down in plantations, the forest owner must fill out the appropriate form.
• For tree felling when installing or clearing boundary lines, approval is not required. In emergency cases, to ensure the operation of infrastructure, tree felling is possible without approval, after prior verbal agreement with the VMD or the Nature Conservation Agency, depending on the situation.
• The owner may cut down trees growing outside the forest area at his discretion, however, in cities, protection zones and protected areas, a municipal permit is required. There are also restrictions on cutting down large trees.
• Tree felling in flooded fields, swamps and forest infrastructure facilities must be reported to the VMD every year before the start of work.

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