Questions & answers about tree felling

The statute applies to the entire built-up urban area including all districts as well as in the area covered by development plans; it does not apply to permanent allotment gardens.

According to the statutes for the protection of green areas in the city of Offenbach am Main, an application for the removal of protected green areas is required for

• deciduous trees and yews with a trunk circumference of more than 60 cm
• multi-stemmed deciduous trees and yews if the sum of the individual trunk circumferences exceeds 100 cm
• Conifers (except yews) with a trunk circumference of more than 120 cm
• deciduous shrubs (hedges, extensive bushes and extensive tree stands) with an overgrown area of 30 m² or more.

The trunk circumference is always measured at a height of one meter. If the crown base is lower than one meter, the trunk circumference below the crown base is decisive.

It should be noted that trees, shrubs and hedges planted as replacement plantings in accordance with the statutes are already protected from the time they are planted, i.e. below these protective dimensions.

Written permission from the Lower Nature Conservation Authority is required for the removal of protected trees and deciduous shrubs (see previous question).

Hedges, shrubs and other woody plants - even those with an area of less than 30 m² - may not be removed or cut back between March 1 and September 30 (bird breeding season).

For trees, the statutes for the protection of green areas PDF-File 54,89 kB stipulate that removal or pruning may not be carried out between March 15 and July 31. However, it is recommended that the protection period from March 1 to September 30 be observed for all trees.

During the bird breeding season, it is important that the birds can go about their nest-building and brooding business in peace. When the young are being reared, disturbances in the vicinity of the nest due to noise or activities can lead to the clutch being destroyed or abandoned or the nestlings being harmed. This is prohibited under the Federal Nature Conservation Act.

If there are breeding birds in the green areas, it is generally forbidden to remove them until the birds have finished rearing their young on their own.

Professional shaping or maintenance pruning does not require a permit. This involves removing the annual shoots of a stand of greenery. The bird breeding season must be observed! (see question 2)

Major pruning that significantly changes the appearance of the green stand and can permanently damage or impair the green stand requires a permit for protected green stands (see question 1).

Professional pruning is also strongly recommended for green stands that are below the protected dimensions (arborist should be FLL-certified)! Improper pruning causes lasting damage to the greenery and can endanger traffic safety.

If the removal of protected green areas (see question 1) is approved, replacement planting is required.

As a rule, at least one deciduous tree with a trunk circumference of 18 to 20 cm must be replanted at a height of one meter. The number of new trees to be planted in individual cases is determined by the circumference of the trunk or the area of the removed greenery.

It must be checked in advance, ideally when the application is submitted, whether replacement planting is possible close to the site (usually on the same property).

If replacement planting is demonstrably not possible or not possible in full, a compensation payment may be considered. This is based on the cost of a regular tree to be planted, including maintenance and cultivation costs.

In the event of unauthorized removal or pruning, administrative offence proceedings may be initiated against the persons and companies responsible.

Responsible persons usually receive a warning or a fine.

The obligation to plant a replacement nevertheless exists. The landowner will then receive a corresponding chargeable order.

If a protected tree is obviously at risk of breaking or falling(imminent danger) or has been determined by an expert, it may be removed immediately or promptly without authorization.

The Lower Nature Conservation Authority must be notified of the felling either beforehand or immediately afterwards. You will then receive a written confirmation of notification. The urgency must be proven by photos and , if necessary, a written assessment by a tree care / tree statics expert.

Tree felling that is not reported or insufficiently documented can be punished as an administrative offense (see question 5).

An application for a felling permit can only be submitted by the owner of the land on which the greenery is located.

A person or company that has authorization (power of attorney) to submit the application is also entitled to do so and must provide proof of this (see question 8).

You have the option of submitting applications under the Green Conservation Ordinance digitally. The digital application form is completely paperless and guides you through the application step by step. You can find the digital application form here:

The digital application form is an additional service provided by the City of Offenbach's Environmental Agency. Anyone wishing to submit the application form by post or e-mail can continue to do so. The following documents are required:

• Completed and signed application form PDF-File 499,24 kB
• Reasons why the pruning or removal should be carried out
• An informative site plan with marking of the protected green area(s) in question and , if applicable, a drawing of the possible locations of replacement plantings
• Meaningful photos of the green area(s) in question
• If you are not the owner of the property: A signed power of attorney authorizing you to submit the application
• If available: Expert assessment of the stability and stability of the tree

As a rule, the permit fee for a protected stand of greenery is 125 euros. It increases if more than one protected green area is the subject of the application.

A compensation payment may be added (see question 4).

The permit then contains a corresponding request for payment.

Processing usually takes about four weeks from receipt of the application. The completeness of the application documents (see question 8) reduces the number of questions that the responsible person(s) may ask you and can thus reduce the processing time.

Tree felling during the bird breeding season (see question 2) is generally prohibited. For applications submitted less than four weeks before the start of the bird breeding season, timely approval cannot be guaranteed, so you must plan for removal or pruning after the end of the bird breeding season.

Dangerous trees are an exception (see question 6). You will usually receive the notification confirmation on the same day.