Check if you need a forest management plan

A forest management plan describes how you as a private woodland owner intend to sustainably manage your forest or woodland over a 5 to 10 year period.

Having an approved plan means you do not need to apply for a felling licence every time you need to fell trees on your land.

When you might need a forest management plan

You should consider applying for a forest management plan if you are: 

• managing multiple coupes over a longer time frame
• managing a combination of felling and thinning
• managing woodland that has sensitivities that require longer-term management
• managing operations that are more complex or involve restructuring
• applying for Welsh Government grant schemes
  
  

When a felling licence might be better

A felling licence is a simpler way of obtaining permission to fell if your:

• woodland does not have complexities requiring long-term management
• proposed operations are relatively straightforward and short-term