In Tallinn, the conditions and procedures for issuing permits for tree felling and regular pruning have been established. According to these regulations, a landowner must apply for the appropriate permit from the Tallinn Environmental Department to cut down a tree growing on their property.
Permission for tree cutting is not required only if it concerns fruit trees or young trees, up to 8 cm in diameter, that have dried out.
To obtain a permit for tree cutting or trimming, the following steps should be taken:
Examine the trees on your property, especially those near the street, buildings, and power lines. Assess whether their condition has deteriorated in recent years or if any branches have grown to reach the power lines. If you lack the necessary expertise, consult with a professional arborist.
Please submit the completed tree removal or branch trimming request form (current trimming) to the department. The easiest way to do this is through the database available on the Tallinn homepage (http://raie.tallinn.ee/). The request can also be written at the city office service bureau and in the service halls of city districts using the special forms provided there.
If your plot is jointly owned, be sure to include written consent from the majority of other owners for tree removal or branch trimming.
If a tree is growing on the property of an association, its removal or pruning must be discussed at a general meeting of the association or at a board meeting. The minutes of the corresponding decision should then be sent to the department along with a petition.
If a viable tree needs to be cut down due to construction work, the application must include copies of the building permit and site plan, and an agreement with the Tallinn Environmental Department to plant an appropriate number of new trees.
If a tree is located outside the boundaries of your property on land managed by a part of the city or a municipal department, you should contact a landscaping specialist. The inspection of the trees by a specialist from the Tallinn Environmental Department, including the issuance of permits, is a free service. However, the landowner is responsible for arranging and paying for any tree removal or pruning.
The issued permits can be viewed on the home page of Tallinn’s tree felling permit database. No permit is required for the removal of broken trees! In certain cases, a tree on one’s own property can be cut down or pruned without a felling permit. This is allowed for property owners only if the tree has fallen, been damaged by a storm or snow, or poses a safety hazard for other reasons. Such trees should be reported in writing to the general email address of the Tallinn Environmental Department at [email protected] or to the landscaping department.
Source: dea.digar.ee
