Apply for a felling licence
Find out how to apply for a tree felling licence.
Applies to England
You鈥檒l听need a felling licence if you plan to听fell听any growing trees on land in听England, unless听exemptions apply. Felling licences ensure sustainable harvesting, regulatory compliance鈥痑nd environmental protection.
If you鈥檙e applying for a felling licence before October 2026, you can .
If selected to participate, your application will be processed as normal within standard timelines and, if approved, will result in a legally enforceable felling licence.
Before you begin, read our guidance on:
What you need to apply
You can apply for a felling licence if you have an interest in the land where tree felling is planned or if you have the authority to carry out tree felling activities. Applying for a licence is free.听
To apply, you will need to:听
- provide听details of the trees you want to fell, including species and number听
- provide an听outline听of听the felling work type and proposed restocking where听required听
- identify听and map听the听areas of the proposed felling and restocking听听
Mapping of the felling and restocking areas听can be completed manually听on the system, or听by uploading听spatial data听within听apply for a听tree听felling听licence. Read how to create and submit compartment maps and spatial data.
If you are an agent acting on behalf of an applicant, you will need to supply a completed听agent authority form.
How long it takes
We aim to give a decision within 3 months. We will inform you if we need more time to process your application and agree an extension with you. You鈥檒l receive a decision once all checks and consultations are complete.
Apply online
Before you apply make sure:听
- you have听permission听and sufficient control or assurance听from the landowner听(if you are not the owner)听that any conditions will be met听
- your proposed felling aligns with legal requirements and UK Forestry Standard听
- you engage with neighbours听and other organisations with interest in the land听to make them aware of your tree felling plans听
You鈥檒l听need to sign in or create an account to use the service.
On the next page,听you鈥檒l听choose whether to sign in or create an account.
Other ways to apply
If you cannot apply online, you can request a paper application. Contact the operational delivery team.
Licencing periods
Licences can be issued for:
- up to 5 years as a standalone licence
- up to 10 years if associated with an approved woodland management plan
Felling licences cannot be extended or amended. If you wish to continue felling trees after the licence has expired, you will need to apply for a new licence.
Once you鈥檝e received a felling licence 听听
Requesting alternate licence permissions or conditions
You cannot amend or withdraw a felling licence once it has been issued. Once felling has started, you must听comply with听any听restocking conditions set out in the licence.鈥�
In limited circumstances, you may be able to agree alternative felling permissions or conditions. Read the听guidance on听how to request to change permissions or conditions on your felling licence.
Selling your land
When you sell land that has an active felling licence, the licence automatically transfers to the new owner. This听means the new owner can use any remaining felling permissions and must听comply with听the听restocking conditions, outlined in the licence.
Enforcement of licence conditions
You can face enforcement action if you do not听comply with听your felling licence conditions. The Forestry Commission can serve an enforcement notice on whoever owns the land听at the time听non-compliance听with felling licence conditions is听identified.听
An enforcement notice requires you to听comply with听the felling licence conditions. Not听complying with听an enforcement notice is a criminal offence and you can be prosecuted.听
You may receive an enforcement notice even if:
- a previous听owner did the felling work听
- you were not responsible for the original non-compliance听
If you sell the land, any future owners may also be served with an enforcement notice for the same non-compliance issues.听
Read the听Forestry Commission enforcement policy.
Timber regulations听
Timber supply chains are regulated to ensure harvesting practices are legal, encourage sustainable harvesting practices and support global forest governance. Businesses trading in timber and timber products should read:听Timber regulations and Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade licences.
How to appeal our decision
If you are unhappy with听the decision of your application听or conditions of your licence听after discussing it with听your听local Woodland Officer you can appeal against a decision by the Forestry Commission.
Contact us听
If you have a felling licence query, please read Tree felling: getting permission.听
If you听need more information on whether you听require听a licence, contact your nearest Forestry Commission area office.
If you require service support while applying for a felling licence, email fellinglicenceonline@forestrycommission.gov.uk.