Verbot der Beseitigung oder des Abschneidens bestimmter Bäume, Hecken, lebender Zäune, Gebüsche innerhalb eines bestimmten Zeitraums Ausnahmegenehmigung

Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG)

If you wish to fell a tree, hedge or other woody plant between March and September, you may require a permit.

In accordance with Section 39 (5) sentence 1 no. 2 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG), it is prohibited to cut, uproot or remove trees, hedges, living fences, bushes and other woody plants outside of forests, short rotation plantations or horticultural land between March 1 and September 30. Treesstandingin forests, house gardens andfrontgardensmay still be cleared after February 28. It must be ensured that no tree-dwelling animal species (birds, bats, etc.) are harmed. Trees along roads, on building plots/gaps and trees in the open countryside (e.g. trees on orchards, in fields, on arable land, on undeveloped areas) are subject to the above-mentioned ban on clearing and may no longer be cleared from March 1st.

Hedges may no longer be cut back or cleared after February 28, even on land used for horticultural purposes.

Gentle shaping and maintenance pruning (fruit tree pruning) and pruning to remove the annual growth (this includes the annual pruning of hedges) are still permitted. Pruning of hedges that goes beyond the annual growth, such as the severe shortening of hedges, is also not permitted.

The ban on clearing hedges can only be overcome by means of an exemption in accordance with Section 67 (1) BNatSchG. An exemption can only be granted by the Supreme Nature Conservation Authority of the Saarland Ministry of the Environment if

1. this is necessary for reasons of overriding public interest, including those of a social and economic nature, or
2. the implementation of the regulations in the individual case would lead to an unreasonable burden and the deviation is compatible with the interests of nature conservation and landscape management.

The following measures are always exempt from the ban on clearingßmeasures that serve to ensure traffic safety, if they must be carried out to avert danger.ümust be carried outüand cannot be carried out at another time or by other measures.

In addition to complying with the ban on uprooting in Section 39 para. 5 sentence 1 no. 2 BNatSchG, trees may also be protected by a municipal tree protection statute. An exemption permit and replacement planting may be necessary. Your local authority will be happy to provide you with information on this.

The following data is required:

• Surname, first name and, if applicable, academic degree, address and contact details (e-mail address and telephone number) of the applicant
• Surname, first name and, if applicable, academic degree, address and contact details (e-mail address and telephone number) of the landowner (if not the applicant)
• Type and location of the tree(s) to be removed or cut back
• Period of removal/cutting
• Justification for the project and possible alternatives
• Building permit, if available
• Pictures (optional)
• If applicable, documents such as letters, expert opinions, building permit (if available)

This application is a free preliminary inquiry.

Once the application has been reviewed, the Supreme Nature Conservation Authority will contact you, request further documents if necessary and inform you of the current processing status. If your application requires approval (exemption in accordance with Section 67 BNatSchG), the binding application may be subject to administrative costs in accordance with the General schedule of fees in conjunction with the Saarland Fees Act may be associated with administrative costs.

approx. 1 week to 1 month

The removal or cutting of certain trees, hedges, living fences and bushes within a certain period of time as well as
the felling of trees and other woody plants in the period from March 1 to September 30 is prohibited and only possible in exceptional cases.

An exemption may have to be applied for.

Ministry of the Environment, Climate, Mobility, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Division D/1 - Supreme Nature Conservation Authority:RL_D1@umwelt.saarland.de