Trees perform important aesthetic and ecological functions. However, if the wood is sick, rotten or too big, it may have to be felled. This work can be very dangerous and requires specialist knowledge. In an interview with the cost check expert, we clarify what a tree felling costs and what you have to pay attention to. You will also find a lot of interesting information about this topic in this article.

The costs for felling a tree must also include the permit and disposal

What are the costs of felling?

How high the costs for this measure will be can only be roughly estimated, as they are influenced by numerous factors.

The following table provides an initial overview:

cost overview price
permit 25 to 100 euros
Exemption, the tree must be between 01.03. and 30.09. be felled 80 - 120 euros
Felling a deciduous tree in one go 25 - 40 EUR per meter
Fell the deciduous tree piecemeal 35-40 euros
Felling a conifer in one piece 20 - 25 EUR per meter
Fell the conifer piece by piece 30 - 35 EUR per meter
remove root 75 - 175 euros
Disposal of green waste 100-150 euros
Total deciduous tree, 20 feet in height 600 and 1,100 euros
Total conifer, 20 meters in height 550 - 1,000 euros

If you do not want to use the wood privately, for example as firewood, you can leave it to the executing company. How much you get for the raw material varies from region to region. The costs can almost always be halved, so that you only have to pay between 250 and 550 EUR for felling in one go. If it is necessary to fell the wood piece by piece, the total costs for a 20 meter high tree then amount to around 350 to 850 EUR.

Please note that these costs may vary depending on the region. These can also vary within the same community. It is therefore worthwhile in any case to obtain offers from different companies.

What factors affect the price?

No felling is like the other. Individual circumstances will affect the price you pay for this work:

A permit is only required for the felling of very narrow trees

  • As a rule, you need a permit from the Horticultural Office or the Office for Environmental Protection and Occupational Safety to fell a tree with a trunk diameter of more than eighty centimetres. The cost of these varies from municipality to municipality.
  • The larger and thicker the tree to be felled, the higher the effort and thus the price.
  • If the felling is complicated and/or you want additional work such as disposal of the rootstock, this also affects the costs.
  • Would you like to use the wood yourself or leave it to the professionals?
  • If a road has to be closed and special machines such as a lifting platform are required, felling becomes more expensive.
  • If it is unavoidable to move the tree during the nesting and breeding season, you have to reckon with additional costs.

In particular, the height, strength and location of the tree affect the price. This may result in road closures. If the falling tree threatens to damage buildings or power lines, it may have to be removed piece by piece. This takes significantly more time, which in turn affects the overall costs.

When can trees be felled?

The Federal Nature Conservation Act regulates when this work may be carried out. Felling is prohibited during the nesting and breeding season from March 1st to September 30th.

When you can have a tree felled outside of this period is regulated by certain regulations, which vary greatly from state to state and from municipality to municipality. You should therefore inquire with the competent authority in advance of this project.

If you think a tree is no longer healthy and needs to be felled for this reason, it is advisable to have a tree crown inspection carried out with a professional arborist. More often than expected, this can be saved with a professional cut and appropriate care measures.

Do I need a felling permit and how much does it cost?

When it comes to felling a tree, the landowner's decision-making power is restricted by law. Deforestation requires a tree felling permit from a specified trunk diameter. You can obtain this from the environmental and nature conservation authority of the responsible municipality or alternatively from the regulatory office.

In order for a tree to be felled, one of the following conditions must be met:

  • The tree is diseased.
  • Loss of the ecological function of the tree.
  • Negative influence on the development of the surrounding tree population.
  • No species-typical growth.
  • The permitted use of land is prevented.
  • The tree disturbs necessary monument protection measures.

Factors such as:

  • The falling of smaller branches, leaves and fruit.
  • Resulting soiling of gutters and downpipes.
  • Shading to the normal extent.

Anyone who fells a tree without permission must expect high penalties

It costs depending on the municipality Tree felling permit between 25 and 100 EUR. You will usually receive this within three weeks.

Important: You should not have any trees cut down without permission, as this can be expensive. It can cost up to 50,000 EUR fine if you cut down a tree without permission. Fruit trees that do not exceed a certain height are excluded from the approval process. You can inquire about further details from the above-mentioned offices.

How does the specialist proceed with the felling?

State-of-the-art machines are often used for felling. This makes an accurate assessment of the situation and planning necessary. As a rule, the professionals proceed as follows:

  • First, the condition of the tree is assessed.
  • It is determined in which direction felling is possible so that neither people nor animals are endangered or buildings are damaged.
  • The specialist assesses whether parts of the crown need to be removed in advance in order to ensure controlled precipitation.
  • You or the commissioned company must then obtain approval for this measure.
  • Only when this is available does the precipitation begin. Different cutting techniques are used for this.
  • If you would like to have the rootstock removed, you can also have this work carried out by a specialist.
  • Disposal can also be taken care of upon request.

Alternatively, can I fell the tree myself?

You can do the felling yourself, especially with smaller trees. However, you should have the necessary expertise and equipment.

For the latter you have to reckon with the following costs:

cost overview price
part of the protective equipment costs down
working gloves 10 euros
safety goggles 10 euros
cut resistant gloves 75 euros
helmet 40 euros
ear protection 15 euros
saw protection pants 75 euros
work shoes 50 euros

Please keep in mind that you may only use this tool on your own property without a corresponding chainsaw license. But even in this case, for your safety, it is advisable to sawing course to visit. Depending on the provider, you have to choose between 50 and 400 euros calculate. In this you will not only learn how to use the chainsaw properly, but will also be instructed on how to proceed when felling.

Important: Remember that you can only fell trees in spring and autumn. You may only make gentle shape and care cuts to keep the trees healthy in the summer months.

I'm in trouble with the neighbors. Do I actually have to cut down a tree at his request?

A tree does not always have to be felled because it disturbs the neighbors

Unfortunately, there is no national regulation in this regard. The tree protection ordinance of the federal states regulates when a tree may or must be felled. Before you pick up the saw, you should ask the environmental agency or the municipality whether the neighbor is right with his complaint.

In order to avoid disturbances, there are fixed boundary distances that must be observed to the neighboring property. Depending on the neighboring law of the respective federal state and the tree protection statute, these are between one and four meters. If the distance is less than this, the neighbor may demand that the tree be felled.

The Tree Protection Ordinance often applies to very large, old trees in particular. The neighbor has to put up with shadows and falling leaves. However, he can insist that overhanging branches be shortened.

Our tip: If the neighbor plants a tree and falls below the limit distance, you should act quickly. The right to claim becomes statute-barred five years after the tree was planted and you can only demand that the wood be felled or moved in exceptional cases.

Are there alternatives to tree felling?

An old tree can often be left standing with professional tree care and protection. This allows:

  • Maintaining the vitality and thus the stability of the tree.
  • treat diseases.
  • affect the direction of growth.
  • Minimize the consequences of damage that has already occurred and weakening of the crop.

If necessary, seek advice from a specialist. This initial consultation is usually free of charge. For the tree care there are regionally different costs between 40 and 100 EUR per hour and person, depending on the effort involved.

Category:

Trees