Rules governing the granting of permits for tree felling

In what circumstances is a felling permit required?

Who issues felling permits?

When is a felling permit not required?

Which felling operations only need to be notified?

Where can I find out the reasons for the felling of trees that have already been felled?

Where can I report felling that is being carried out in breach of the law?

Who manages public green spaces in the town of Příbram?

Why are trees felled?

In what circumstances is a felling permit required?

1. always, if the trees form part of a significant landscape feature (e.g. watercourses, ponds, lakes, floodplains, other registered significant landscape features), replacement plantings or tree lines,
2. for trees with a trunk circumference of 80 cm or more, measured at a height of 130 cm above ground level,
3. for dense stands of trees, if the total area of the dense stands being felled exceeds 40 m² (this applies to trees with a trunk circumference of up to 80 cm at a height of 130 cm above ground level; if any of the trees in the dense stand exceeds this dimension, it is always assessed as an individual tree).
    
   The above does not apply in the cases specified in Section 8(2) of the Act – where felling has been notified in writing in the cases listed in the Act – see ‘Felling of trees upon notification’.

Who issues felling permits?

Permits are issued by local authorities. In Příbram, this responsibility is exercised by the Příbram Municipal Authority, Department of the Environment (hereinafter referred to as ‘OŽP’). A permit may be issued in the form of a decision or a binding opinion (for the purposes of a building project authorised in planning consent proceedings or in joint planning and building consent proceedings by the building authority).

Application form for a tree felling permit.

The EPD decides on a permit for the felling of any tree or shrub of the specified dimensions – as set out above – on the basis of an application submitted by the owner, tenant or other authorised user of the land. Each request must be duly justified. In addition to the reasons for felling, the Environmental Protection Authority assesses the functional and aesthetic significance of the tree in question. Where possible and appropriate, the decision on felling stipulates the planting of replacement trees for those felled. When setting the conditions for felling, the Environmental Protection Authority generally takes into account the dormant season; that is, it restricts felling permits to the period from 1 October to 31 March of the current year. The main reason for this is the preliminary protection of nesting birds. On the other hand, in certain cases – for example, for safety reasons, in the event of accidents, necessary repairs, etc. – it is neither practical nor possible to restrict felling solely to the dormant season.

Please note: the felling itself may only be carried out once the decision of the local authority or planning authority has become final.

A felling permit is a document authorising the felling to take place. It is not a document that orders the felling itself. An applicant who receives a permit is under no obligation to proceed with the felling at all.

A felling permit is not issued in the following cases:

1. for trees with a trunk circumference of up to 80 cm measured at a height of 130 cm above ground level,
2. for dense stands of trees, provided that the total area of the dense stands to be felled does not exceed 40 m² (this applies to trees with a trunk circumference of up to 80 cm at a height of 130 cm above ground level; if any of the trees in the dense stand exceeds this dimension, it is always assessed as an individual tree),
3. for stands of energy crops or Christmas trees, generally of a single species, cultivated to achieve rapid and high yields of trees or woody biomass, with a production cycle of up to 10 years between harvests,
4. for fruit trees growing on land within built-up areas registered in the Land Registry as ‘garden’ or ‘built-up area and courtyard’,
5. for trees for which felling has been notified – see below.

Felling of trees subject to notification

Written notifications (Notification Form) from the Příbram Municipal Authority area (excluding the Brdy Protected Landscape Area) are accepted by the Příbram Municipal Authority, Department of the Environment

Notification must be submitted in writing at least 15 days in advance in the following cases:

• during the maintenance of riparian vegetation carried out as part of watercourse management,
• when removing trees and shrubs within the protection zone of electricity and gas network facilities as part of the operation of these networks,
• when removing trees and shrubs within the protection zone of heat distribution facilities as part of the operation of such facilities,
• when removing trees and shrubs to ensure the operational capability of a railway line or to ensure the smooth and safe operation of rail transport on that line,
• for health reasons – e.g. cases where trees are infested with epidemic diseases or suffer from massive infestation by pests or pathogens,
• for silvicultural reasons, i.e. for the purpose of regenerating stands or when carrying out thinning operations. Silvicultural reasons may be applied only in very exceptional circumstances. Stand regeneration refers to the process of replacing the existing stand with a new generation of trees, or through natural regeneration from seeds or suckers. The purpose of regeneration is the long-term maintenance of the stand at a specific site. Thinning is carried out by means of selection, whereby the number of trees is reduced during the stand’s growth by removing undesirable trees, with the aim of improving the stand’s stability and long-term viability. 

Furthermore, no permit is required for the felling of trees if their condition clearly and immediately endangers life or health, or if there is a risk of significant damage. Anyone who carries out felling under these conditions must notify the nature conservation authority (Příbram Municipal Authority, Environment Department) within 15 days of the felling taking place. In this case, evidence must be provided to demonstrate that the conditions for this procedure have been met (e.g. photographic evidence)

Where can I find out the reasons for the felling of trees that have already been felled?

Always from the owner, tenant or other authorised user of the land on which the tree is located. You can quickly find out who the owner is at: https://nahlizenidokn.cuzk.cz/. In the case of land owned by the town of Příbram, i.e. public spaces, you can contact the Technical Services of the Town of Příbram, p.o. – Public Greenery Centre, which is responsible for the management of public green spaces. In most cases, the Public Greenery Centre carries out the felling itself (both where a permit has been granted and where no permit was required).
If the felling has been authorised or notified (the trees meet the statutory limits – see basic information), you may contact the Příbram Town Hall, Environment Department – Ing. Lada Krnáčová, tel.: 318 402 478, email: lada.krnacova@pribram.eu.

Decisions or binding opinions regarding permits for the felling of individual trees owned by the town, specifying the reasons for felling, or, where applicable, with a requirement for replacement planting, are available for inspection by arrangement at the Environment Department of the Příbram Town Hall with Ing. Lada Krnáčová, tel.: 318 402 478).

Where can I report felling that is being carried out in breach of the law (unauthorised felling, etc.), and who deals with such offences?

Příbram Town Hall, Environment Department – Ms Lada Krnáčová, tel.: 318 402 478, email: lada.krnacova@pribram.eu

Czech Environmental Inspectorate, Prague Regional Inspectorate

Who manages public green spaces in the town of Příbram?

The management of public green spaces on municipal land is carried out by the Technical Services of the City of Příbram – Public Green Spaces Centre. They propose specific measures and carry out maintenance of public green spaces – pruning and felling of trees and shrubs, planting of trees and shrubs, etc. 

Please address any requests for the felling of trees and shrubs on municipal land or other alterations to green spaces to the Příbram Town Hall, Environment Department (contact: Daniela Wagnerová, DiS., tel. 318 402 485, email: daniela.wagnerova@pribram.eu). Your written request must state the reasons for the felling; in the case of a residents’ association, it is advisable for the request to be approved by a majority of residents in the area (e.g. by a vote at a general meeting or committee meeting).

Why are trees felled?

Trees are an integral part of most public spaces in the city. They fulfil a number of important ecological, hygienic and other functions here. They have an impact on people’s health, their mental well-being and their aesthetic perception. The felling of trees therefore often arouses negative emotions among the city’s residents.

On the other hand, it must be emphasised that no tree in a public space in our town is felled without good reason. A permit may only be issued for serious reasons, following an assessment of the tree’s functional and aesthetic significance.

The reasons why trees are felled in public spaces in Příbram can generally be summarised as follows:

• Trees in poor health, with growth defects (e.g. compression forks), mechanically damaged and infested by pathogenic organisms (e.g. wood-decaying fungi), dry, over-mature, or with low physiological vitality. Where possible and appropriate, the Environmental Protection Department prescribes replacement planting for felled trees. Trees in urban environments must withstand extreme conditions. They are threatened by drought on the streets, air pollution, salt damage and aggressive dog urine; they are mechanically damaged by cars or vandals, and are often planted in unnatural soil conditions. As a result of these factors, trees in towns and cities have lower vitality, are more susceptible to disease, and age and die off far more quickly than trees planted in the open countryside.
• Trees with reduced operational safety, insufficient resistance to breaking, uprooting or other damage, a compromised root system, defects, etc. Wherever possible and appropriate, the Environmental Protection Authority (OŽP) requires replacement planting for felled trees.
• Trees in good health but which were planted in the past, in good faith, in the immediate vicinity of properties (buildings, fences, etc.), or planted too close to one another. Trees that, for various reasons, are not viable. Trees near buildings often cast excessive shade over residents’ flats, or may even directly interfere with the buildings. Replanting trees in the same location is generally not appropriate. Where possible and appropriate, the Environmental Protection Department prescribes the replanting of shrubs. Trees that were densely planted in the past now compete with one another. Felling – or thinning out – weaker, damaged or poorly branched trees will thus promote the optimal development of the remaining trees. Replanting in the same location is generally not appropriate.
• Trees growing within the area of a planned construction project. During the felling permit process, emphasis is placed on preserving high-quality, promising trees. The Environmental Protection Authority also requires developers to submit a landscaping plan that addresses the replacement planting for felled trees.
• Trees planted within the protection zones of technical infrastructure networks (electricity, gas, water supply, etc.). According to both current and previously applicable standards, trees must not be planted within the protection zones of utility networks. This is because, over the years, the root systems of these networks cause damage and often make it impossible to carry out repairs following incidents. During subsequent reconstruction work, it is often necessary to fell such trees, as disturbance to the tree roots – which is usually unavoidable during excavation work – may jeopardise their stability in the future.

Sources:

Act of the Czech National Council No. 114/1992 Coll., on the protection of nature and the landscape, as amended.
Ministry of the Environment Decree No. 189/2013 Coll., on the protection of trees and the authorisation of their felling, as amended.

 Text updated: 2019