Seventy-seven cases of illegal tree felling were reported to the Department of Agriculture in 2021.

In 2020, there was 51 cases of illegal tree felling.

“Reports of alleged illegal tree felling are a matter that the Department takes very seriously,” a Department spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.

“Every report to the Department is followed up and, where warranted, further investigation will be carried out.

“The Forestry Act 2014 provides for certain exemptions from the requirement for a tree felling licence and information on tree felling licences, and exemptions may be found on the forestry pages of the Department’s website at gov.ie.”

The spokesperson said that where tree felling is taking place under a valid tree felling licence, a site notice should be visible at the entrance to the site to inform the public.

No licence

“Where it is found that tree felling has taken place without a licence, the first step is to order the cessation of all works.

“The landowner will be served with a replanting order and given time to remedy the site. Failure to fulfil the requirements of a replanting order may result in prosecution,” according to the Department.

Records

The Department does not currently keep a record of the areas involved, numbers of trees or acreage of illegal felling.

“A report of alleged illegal felling (AIF) can be received for an individual tree or trees or for a specific area of felled trees.

“Not all cases would satisfy the conditions for an AIF. However, where a case does meet the criteria, a replanting order (RO) will issue.

“This RO will be to replant the felled tree or trees or the defined area of land concerned, as appropriate. It is not therefore possible to give the area covered by the 51 cases in 2020 and the 77 cases in 2021."