Can I fell a tree on my own land in Czechia?
Smaller and fruit trees yes, mature trees only with a permit. On your own land you may fell without a permit trees with a trunk circumference up to 80 cm measured at 130 cm, fruit trees in built-up areas regardless of size, and shrub growth up to 40 m². Everything else needs a permit from the municipal office on a reasoned application; shading alone rarely suffices, and replacement planting can be ordered. Fell in the dormant season (roughly 1 Nov to 31 Mar). And mind the layer people forget: nesting birds are protected year-round, so even a permit-free tree can be felled the wrong way. Felling without a permit costs an individual up to CZK 100,000, a business up to CZK 1,000,000.
📋 The rules
- No permit: circumference up to 80 cm at 130 cm height
- No permit: fruit trees in gardens/built-up areas
- Above the limit: municipal application, possible replacement planting
- Fell in the dormant season (~1 Nov–31 Mar); bird nesting protected always
- Imminent danger: fell immediately, report within 15 days
🔓 Exceptions
- Memorial trees and protected areas: stricter regime, permit always
- Trees immediately endangering life or property: instant felling with subsequent notification
- Shrub growth up to 40 m²: felling without a permit
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Felling without a permit: up to CZK 100,000 for an individual and up to CZK 1,000,000 for businesses and significant trees — and the office can add replacement planting that you pay for and maintain. The second trap is timing: even a permit-free tree cannot be felled in a way that disturbs nesting birds, whose protection runs year-round. Emergency felling without notifying the office within 15 days easily slides into illegal felling, because evidence of the tree's condition is missing — photographs taken before the cut are the cheapest insurance here.
📎 Official sources
- gov.cz portal · Tree-felling permits outside forests (CS) →
- Nature Conservation Agency · Felling permits (CS) →
- Environment Ministry · Felling decree FAQ (CS) →
❓ Frequently asked
How do I know if I need a permit?
Measure the trunk circumference at 130 cm above the ground: up to 80 cm (roughly 25 cm in diameter) you fell without a permit. Above 80 cm you apply to the municipal office and touch nothing until it decides.
Is my apple tree exempt?
Yes — fruit trees in gardens and built-up areas may be felled without a permit regardless of trunk size. The exemption is tied to the built-up area, though, not to fruit trees standing out in the open landscape.
When is the best time to fell?
In the dormant season, roughly November to March, when the cut is gentlest on the tree. Outside it, the crucial limit is nesting birds — their protection applies year-round and independently of any permit.
A tree threatens to fall on my house. Must I wait?
No — with imminent danger you fell at once and notify the office within 15 days. Photograph the tree first, or you will struggle to prove it was an emergency rather than illegal felling.
What about dead or diseased trees?
Even a dead or diseased tree above the limit needs a permit — but poor condition is a strong reason and offices decide quickly. Back the application with photos and a description so nothing has to be chased up.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “tree felling permit czech republic”
- “cut tree own garden czechia”
- “80 cm trunk rule czech”
- “tree removal law prague”
- “fell tree without permit fine czech”
- “dangerous tree felling czech”