How to apply to fell trees

There are three types of permission that Scottish Forestry can approve.

Stand-alone Felling Permission Application (FPA)

Suitable for smaller or one-off felling jobs.

• usually valid for 1–2 years
• requires restocking and maintenance until new woodland is established
• typically processed within 12 weeks of receiving a valid application

Long Term Forest Plan (LTFP)

Used for forests and woodlands over 100 hectares or for larger, planned operations.

• supported under the Forestry Grant Scheme
• includes detailed scoping to assess constraints and opportunities
• must meet the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS)
• provides felling and restocking permission for the first 10 years
• normally takes 6–12 months to prepare and approve

Help with forest planning

Management Plans

For forests and woodlands under 100 hectares or WIAT (Woodlands In and Around Towns) urban woodlands.

• only WIAT plans are grant-funded
• lighter-touch than LTFPs
• provide thinning-only felling permission for up to 10 years (where sufficient thinning details are included)

Forest management plans

Before submitting an application, you must check whether restrictions apply to your site.

Local Environmental and Designation Restrictions

Use the Land Information Search to check for:

• Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
• Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
• Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
• Scheduled Monuments
• Archaeological sites or other cultural heritage features
• other designated or sensitive sites

Open the Land Information Search

If your proposed felling is within, adjacent to, or connected to an SPA or SAC, a Habitat Regulations Appraisal (HRA) may be required.

This assessment ensures that the felling will not adversely affect the protected site or the species and habitats it supports.

You must also ensure your work does not disturb protected species such as red squirrels or badgers.

It's your responsibility to ensure your felling operations do not break any laws or requirements.

Local Planning Controls

You should check with your local authority for any planning controls, such as:

• Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)
• Conservation Areas

Some areas may also be subject to plant health controls that affect the movement of timber or wood products.

Contact the Plant Health Team

Private Water Supplies

If your proposed felling site contains or is close to a private water supply, you must take extra care to avoid impacts on water quality or infrastructure.

This includes:

• drinking water sources
• supply pipes
• header tanks
• collection points
• associated infrastructure

Before applying, you should:

• identify any private water supplies within or downstream of the felling area
• consider how felling, brash, soil disturbance, machinery movement, or restocking may affect water quality or supply reliability
• contact the relevant local authority or landowner if you need information about mapped or unmapped private supplies

Planning felling operations around private water supplies at an early stage helps prevent contamination, service disruption, and delays in the application process.

Managing forestry operations to protect private water supplies

Timber Transport Requirements

If you plan to transport timber, use the Agreed Routes Maps to ensure you are using suitable routes.

Visit the Timber Transport Forum

Stakeholder Engagement

Before submitting your application, it is important to make sure you have gathered all required information and addressed any potential constraints early.

• you should engage with relevant stakeholders at an early stage to identify issues such as environmental designations, protected species, or local planning controls. Early engagement helps avoid delays and ensures your proposal meets all legal and environmental requirements

Stakeholder engagement guidance note 2015

UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) Compliance

All felling permission applications must comply with the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS).

The UKFS is the UK-wide technical standard for sustainable forest management, and it applies to all woodland in Scotland, regardless of ownership or scale of operation.

Compliance with the UKFS is a legal requirement for granting permissions to fell or plant trees, as well as for receiving forestry grant support.

Scottish Forestry will assess your application against the UKFS and will continue to check compliance while your permission remains valid.

Read the latest (5th) edition of the UK Forestry Standard

Ensure that all areas of felling will be restocked, as restocking is a mandatory condition for felling operations.

Restocking may involve replanting trees, encouraging natural regeneration, or establishing new woodland in accordance with agreed specifications.

Be aware that proposals resulting in deforestation (where felled woodland is not restocked and the land use changes away from forest) may trigger the need for screening under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) Regulations.

If screening is required, you will need to provide additional information so that the potential environmental impacts of the proposal can be assessed.

For more information on the circumstances in which permanent woodland removal may apply, see:

Felling for Land Use Change

Forestry Environmental Impact Assessment

Complete the relevant forms:

Felling permission application form (Word)

Felling permission application form (PDF)

Submit a mandate form with your application if needed:

Mandate form (Word)

Mandate form (PDF)

Attach a map or maps showing the boundary of the suggested felling and restocking area.

You will need to ensure required mapping standards are met.

Required mapping standards