Notification of felling due to endangerment

Main information

All trees growing outside the forest above the specified dimensions (trunk circumference up to 80 cm measured at a height of 130 cm above the ground for detached trees; area over 40 m2 in the case of a continuous plantation of shrubs and trees) it is forbidden to fell without permission.

However, this does not apply to tree species which are likely to pose an imminent threat to life or health or where there is a risk of significant damage. For these trees, there is no need for a felling permit and you can first fell the tree and only then report this felling.

Anyone who carries out felling of trees, if their condition is obviously and immediately threatened with life or health or there is a risk of damage of a significant extent, is obliged to notify this felling within 15 days of carrying out the felling.

Obviousness means an obviously detectable state of affairs that does not require professional examination and is also obvious to a layman.

Immediacy means an acute situation where, in order to prevent acutely threatened serious consequences, it is not possible to proceed in the manner foreseen by law.

Significant damage is not defined in the law. It is sometimes interpreted as damage exceeding CZK 500,000, but may also include non-material damage, e.g. the risk of further ecological damage to neighbouring trees or the heritage values of an endangered immovable cultural monument.

An example of a tree that can be felled in emergency felling mode will be a tree so damaged by wind, lightning, landslide or even human activities that there is an acute risk of its fall, in which the losses could be caused. As a rule, it will not be a dry tree that has been standing on the site in this state for a long time (such a tree would be subject to a felling permit).

This applies to you if

You are the owner of non-forest land (or you have a lease or user relationship with the land):

  • on which the tree you want to cut grows, and
  • at the same time, it is a tree that is clearly and immediately threatening life or health or if there is a risk of significant damage (see "Service description").

When to use this service

At any time of the year, because the condition of the tree is so dangerous in the case of emergency felling that it is no longer possible to procrastinate and it is necessary to cut the tree as soon as possible.

The felling shall be reported retroactively within 15 days of the felling.

Vyřízení služby - elektronicky

What you need if you are using this service

You must submit a declaration of felling within 15 days of the felling operation with the following particulars.

The notification shall include:

  • your full identification - name, surname, date of birth and place of permanent residence, or another address for service, or the name, ID number and address of the registered office, if you are applying as an entrepreneur,
  • power of attorney, if you are represented,
  • the designation of the nature protection authority to which it is addressed;
  • an indication of the cadastral area and the parcel on which the trees are located,
  • it must show that you are announcing the so-called emergency felling,
  • a brief description of the location of the tree and a situational drawing,
  • specifications enabling the tree species to be identified unambiguously – species or tree genus, number of pieces and trunk circumference at a height of 130 cm above the ground, or the area of felled area (for tree stands involved),
  • evidence of facts indicating that the conditions for emergency felling were met, i.e. that the tree appeared to pose an immediate threat to life or health or that there was a risk of significant damage (detailed photo documentation).

The application can be dealt with using an electronic form in the Central Environmental Register (CER) system.

Where and how to solve this service

The application can be dealt with using an electronic form in the Central Environmental Register (CER) system.

You can send the notification via the data box to the locally competent nature protection authority in whose territorial district you want to cut. If the tree is not located in any of the areas listed below, this authority is the municipal authority of the municipality with extended competence.

This does not apply if the tree is located in one of the following territories:

National parks and their protection zones - here you apply to the National Park Administration.

  • here is the contact to the National Park Administration Czech Switzerland
  • here is the contact to the Administration of the Krkonoše National Park
  • here is the contact to the Podyjí National Park Administration
  • here is the contact to the Šumava National Park Administration

Protected landscape areas - here you submit your application to the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, or to its regional office. This interactive map displays the contacts of the relevant regional workplace by clicking on the affected part of the territory.

National natural monuments, national nature reserves and their protection zones - here you apply to the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, or to its regional office. This interactive map displays the contacts of the relevant regional workplace by clicking on the affected part of the territory.

Nature reserves and natural monuments and their protection zones (outside the Protected Landscape Area – PLA) – here you submit your application to the Regional Authority. Contacts for individual regional authorities can be found on the Public Administration Portal.

Nature reserves and natural monuments and their protection zones (in the Protected Landscape Area – PLA) – here you submit your application to the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, or to its regional office. This interactive map displays the contacts of the relevant regional workplace by clicking on the affected part of the territory.

Military uyezds – here you apply to the uyezd office.

  • here is the contact to the Újezdní úřad Boletice
  • here is the contact to the Újezdní úřad Březina
  • here is the contact to Újezdní úřad Hradiště
  • here is the contact to Újezdní úřad Libavá

How much will you pay

None

Vyřízení služby - osobně

What you need if you are using this service

You must submit a declaration of felling within 15 days of the felling operation with the following particulars.

The notification shall include:

  • your full identification - name, surname, date of birth and place of permanent residence, or another address for service, or the name, ID number and address of the registered office, if you are applying as an entrepreneur,
  • power of attorney, if you are represented,
  • the designation of the nature protection authority to which it is addressed;
  • an indication of the cadastral area and the parcel on which the trees are located,
  • it must show that you are announcing the so-called emergency felling,
  • a brief description of the location of the tree and a situational drawing,
  • specifications enabling the tree species to be identified unambiguously – species or tree genus, number of pieces and trunk circumference at a height of 130 cm above the ground, or the area of felled area (for tree stands involved),
  • evidence of facts indicating that the conditions for emergency felling were met, i.e. that the tree appeared to pose an immediate threat to life or health or that there was a risk of significant damage (detailed photo documentation).

Where and how to solve this service

You can submit the notification in person or send it by post to the locally competent nature protection authority in whose territorial district you wish to cut. If the tree is not located in any of the areas listed below, this authority is the municipal authority of the municipality with extended competence.

This does not apply if the tree is located in one of the following territories:

National parks and their protection zones - here you apply to the National Park Administration.

  • here is the contact to the National Park Administration Czech Switzerland
  • here is the contact to the Administration of the Krkonoše National Park
  • here is the contact to the Podyjí National Park Administration
  • here is the contact to the Šumava National Park Administration

Protected landscape areas - here you submit your application to the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, or to its regional office. This interactive map displays the contacts of the relevant regional workplace by clicking on the affected part of the territory.

National natural monuments, national nature reserves and their protection zones - here you apply to the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, or to its regional office. This interactive map displays the contacts of the relevant regional workplace by clicking on the affected part of the territory.

Nature reserves and natural monuments and their protection zones (outside the Protected Landscape Area – PLA) – here you submit your application to the Regional Authority. Contacts for individual regional authorities can be found on the Public Administration Portal.

Nature reserves and natural monuments and their protection zones (in the Protected Landscape Area – PLA) – here you submit your application to the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, or to its regional office. This interactive map displays the contacts of the relevant regional workplace by clicking on the affected part of the territory.

Military uyezds – here you apply to the uyezd office.

  • here is the contact to the Újezdní úřad Boletice
  • here is the contact to the Újezdní úřad Březina
  • here is the contact to Újezdní úřad Hradiště
  • here is the contact to Újezdní úřad Libavá

How much will you pay

None

Additional information

What is the benefit of this service

Some risky trees growing outside the forest (see above ‘Description of the service’ and ‘You are affected if’) can be felled thanks to the notification without applying for a felling permit and following a standard administrative procedure.

Sanctions

Failure to comply with the reporting obligation puts you at risk of:

  • as a natural person, penalties of up to CZK 10,000,
  • as a legal and entrepreneurial natural person up to CZK 1 million.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to notify emergency felling even for air raid trees?

It is irrelevant whether the tree is of raid origin or has been planted.
Do I need to announce the felling of (fruit) trees in my garden?

No permit or notification is required for fruit trees growing on land in the built-up area, which are listed in the land register as a type of land garden or built-up area and courtyard.

The following shall be considered to be fruit trees: gooseberry, currant, peach, pear, apple, dark-fruited, Moravian common crane (sweet-fruited), quince, hazelnut, almond, apricot, mulberry, walnut, raspberry, blackberry, plum, cherry, sour cherry.