Tree removal procedure

Article 37³ of the Law of the Republic of Belarus of June 14, 2003 No. 205-Z "On the Plant World" stipulates the procedure for the removal and transplantation of plant world objects based on a permit from the local executive and administrative body.

This category includes:

1) trees and shrubs that impede the operation of buildings, structures, and other facilities;

2) trees and shrubs for topographical surveys and geological exploration of subsoil;

3) trees and shrubs growing in anti-erosion plantations;

4) trees and shrubs with a trunk diameter of 12 centimeters or more at a height of 1.3 meters, growing in roadside plantations;

5) trees and shrubs with a trunk diameter of 12 centimeters or more at a height of 1.3 meters, Karelian birch growing on agricultural land and agricultural lands of other categories (except for the removal and transplantation of trees and shrubs during the operation (maintenance) of land reclamation systems and separate hydraulic structures);

6) trees and shrubs growing on reserve lands and public lands of settlements;

7) fallen trees that grew on reserve lands and public lands of settlements;

8) trees and shrubs in poor qualitative condition;

9) flower beds, lawns, and other herbaceous cover on public lands of settlements;

The removal and transplantation of trees and shrubs that impede the operation of buildings, structures, and other facilities are permitted if it is impossible to eliminate the obstacles to the operation of buildings, structures, and other facilities by pruning these trees and shrubs.

The procedure for issuing permits for the removal of plant world objects and permits for the transplantation of plant world objects is established by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus.

The decision to issue a permit for the removal of plant life, or a permit for the transplantation of plant life in case of removal, of trees and shrubs in poor condition, is made by the local executive and administrative body upon receipt of a conclusion confirming the poor condition of trees and shrubs, which is requested by the local executive and administrative body independently. The conclusion confirming the poor condition of trees and shrubs is issued by an authorized person.

During the work on the removal or transplantation of plant life, the head (executor) of the work at the site of removal or transplantation of plant life must have a permit for the removal of plant life, a permit for the transplantation of plant life, or their duly certified copies, and the legal entity and citizen to whom the user of the land plot has granted the right to remove or transplant trees and shrubs must also have a civil law contract based on which this right is granted.

For additional information or about cases of poaching, please contact the Verkhnedvinsk Inter-district Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora at the following address: Verkhnedvinsk, Sovetskaya St., bldg. 193/2, or by calling the inspectorate's hotline at 6 17 23.