Overijssel cracks down on illegal tree felling with 100% replanting enforcement
Residents and landowners in Overijssel must now comply fully with replanting obligations after tree felling, as the province enforces stricter rules to combat declining woodland. Trees are vital for the landscape, CO2 absorption, and biodiversity, but satellite images reveal illegal removals.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Province | Overijssel |
| Enforcement Start Date | March 2026 |
| Annual Tree Loss | ~25 hectares |
| Annual New Planting | ~5 hectares |
| Replanting Obligation Compliance | 100% enforcement |
| Additional Enforcement Funding | €25,000 (2025), €100,000 (2026 onwards) + €400,000 (2025-2027 one-time) |
| Trees Planted (Previous Effort) | 1.1 million |
| 2030 Ambition | 10% more trees |
| Monitoring Method | Satellite images |
The Province of Overijssel is responsible for overseeing environmental policies, including woodland preservation in rural areas. It enforces regulations like the replanting obligation to protect the province’s landscape, biodiversity, and climate resilience, often collaborating with municipalities.
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Stricter enforcement of replanting obligation for tree felling notifications
Province of Overijssel has started enforcing the replanting obligation for tree felling at 100%. The reason for this is the decline in the number of trees in rural areas and the need to protect the landscape. The decline is evident from satellite images used by the province to verify whether residents and landowners, who fell trees, comply with the obligation to plant new trees: the replanting obligation.
Felling a tree often requires permission from the province or municipality. The province oversees larger woodlands in rural areas, such as rows of more than twenty trees or areas larger than 1,000 square meters. Municipalities are the competent authority for smaller woodlands and operate under a permit requirement. Those who fell one or more trees are usually required to plant new ones. This does not always happen. It also appears that tree-lined hedgerows are sometimes removed without prior notification to the province.
Additional capacity to preserve trees
The replanting obligation is not without reason. “We have been seeing a structural decline in woodlands in our province for some time now. And that is concerning, because trees have traditionally defined the landscape of Overijssel. They also play an important role in CO2 absorption and are vital for biodiversity,” says Martijn Dadema (Deputy). “Because we lacked the capacity to intervene, Provincial Council has made additional funds available. This allows us to better enforce the replanting obligation and ensure that our valuable landscape is preserved.” We are also using satellite images to identify locations where trees have disappeared without notification of felling.
Concerning decline in rural areas
Trees within the Netherlands Nature Network or formally designated as forest areas are well protected. In rural areas outside these zones, the province also wants to preserve trees. In 2024, the Province of Overijssel conducted an analysis of woodland development in rural areas. The analysis shows that approximately 25 hectares of trees disappear each year, while an average of about 5 hectares of new planting is added annually. Despite the previous planting of 1.1 million trees and the ambition to add 10% more trees by 2030. “Action is therefore necessary, and I hope that landowners will also take responsibility. Because trees are in the interest of us all,” says the Deputy.
More funding for tree preservation
In 2025, a structural amount of €25,000 has been allocated for an additional enforcement officer, rising to €100,000 structurally from 2026 onwards. Additionally, a one-time amount of €400,000 is available for the period 2025 to 2027 to address backlogs in inspections and further develop the approach. The increased enforcement effort is part of a broader strategy that also focuses on clear communication and regulations, as well as good cooperation with municipalities.