What Forestry Commission does
Government department responsible for protecting, expanding, and promoting the sustainable management of woodlands in England. Issues felling licences, administers woodland creation grants, and manages the Public Forest Estate.
Scotland: Forestry and Land Scotland + Scottish Forestry. Wales: Natural Resources Wales handles forestry.
Contact Forestry Commission
- Phone
- 0300 067 4000
Official guidance from Forestry Commission
Curated guidance documents to help you understand your obligations.
Apply for a felling licence (Forestry Commission) (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Forestry Commission (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Tree felling - getting permission (Forestry Commission) (opens in a new tab)
Publication
How to appeal a decision by the Forestry Commission (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Spruce Site Assessment funding: eligibility and how to apply (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Forestry project checks: constraints (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Historic environment guidance for forestry in England (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
Tree nursery directories (opens in a new tab)
Detailed Guidance
View all 26 guidance documents (opens in a new tab)
Legal framework
Legislation that Forestry Commission directly enforces.
Primary legislation
Secondary legislation
Related legislation
Legislation connected to Forestry Commission’s remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.
Establishing / enabling
Administered / monitored
Referenced in enforcement
Other publications
1 additional document from Forestry Commission.