Tree felling

What is it?

If you want to cut down, transplant or substantially prune one or more trees, you sometimes need an environmental permit from the municipality.

Outside built-up areas, different rules often apply about felling trees.

In Kerkrade, by "within the built-up area" we mean all residential neighborhoods and the urban area (think: Heilust, Holz and Eygelshoven-Kom) and the industrial areas (with the exception of the "Julia area").

By "outside the built-up area" we mean the outdoor area. These are the areas outside residential neighborhoods, urban areas and business parks that have scenic, cultural-historical and ecological value. These are the following areas:

1. Subarea around Orchard Pit Road.

2. Burgemeester Boyensbos/Schouffertsbos subarea.

3. Anselder Brook valley subarea between Hopel and Finch.

4. Subarea Carisborg

5. Area Worm valley, Baals bridges, Berenbos and Rolduc

6. Anselder-/Bleijerheiderbeek valley

7. Area between businesses on Tunnel Road and Terwinselen.

8. The area between Parralelweg and
Industriestraat/Schifferheidestraat/Vauputs including agricultural land and farm on Vauputs

9. The area on Baam Street.

10. Agricultural area between the municipal border (Heerlen) and Euregioweg.

11. The area around Crombacherstraat.

This is also on the Map Inside and outside built-up areas under the Forest Act

How does it work?

  • You can only apply for an environmental permit if you are the owner of the land on which the tree is located.
  • The municipality may determine that you may only cut down the tree if you plant a new tree that is worth as much in money as the felled tree. The municipality will then also determine the time limit within which you must do this.

Permit denied

You will not get a permit if the municipality considers other interests more important. These interests may have to do with:

  • conservation of nature
  • cultural history
  • the landscape
  • town or village image

What to do?

  • Always consult with local residents first to see if they object to the tree being cut down.
  • Use Omgevingsloket online to check whether you need a permit.
  • If it appears that you need a permit, you can apply for it directly with your DigiD (individuals) or eHerkenning (companies).
  • Please indicate in your application:
    • What kind of tree is involved;
    • Where the tree stands;
    • Whether one or more trees are involved;
    • How you want to approach felling;
    • Why you want to cut down the tree.
  • If the tree is diseased, attach a statement from an arborist.

What does it cost?

If the application for an Environment Permit relates to felling or having felled a tree stand, for which a permit or dispensation is required pursuant to a provision in a provincial ordinance or the Tree Ordinance of the Municipality of Kerkrade, the rate shall be €72.00 (rate 2023).

How long does it take?

  • Within 8 weeks, you will be notified whether you will receive the permit.
  • The municipality may extend this period once by 6 weeks.
  • If the municipality does not decide within the deadline, you will automatically receive the permit.

Objecting

If you disagree with the municipality's decision, you can object within 6 weeks.

Additional information

To cut down trees covered by the Nature Protection Act, you must file a felling notification. These include trees outside built-up areas. More information can be found at the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland.

Do you own a tree on the municipal list of valuable and monumental trees? If so, you must report any change to the municipality. Reasons for the notification can be:

  • You sell the tree to a new owner.
  • The tree fell down or was otherwise destroyed without an environmental permit for cutting.
  • The tree is about to fall or is about to die

If anything about your protected or monumental tree has changed, report:

  • what kind of tree it is (for example, an oak or a chestnut)
  • how big the tree is
  • where the tree is located (address)
  • What is going on with the tree or what is going to change in the area around the tree

Below are lists of valuable and monumental trees in Kerkrade. Lists are by district.