Overijssel cracks down on illegal tree felling with stricter enforcement and satellite checks
Residents and landowners in Overijssel must now comply with replanting rules after tree felling or face enforcement. The province is using satellite imagery to track illegal removals, aiming to reverse a worrying decline in woodlands that impacts CO₂ absorption and biodiversity.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Province | Overijssel |
| Enforcement Start Date | March 23, 2026 |
| Annual Tree Loss | ~25 hectares |
| Annual New Planting | ~5 hectares |
| Funding for Enforcement | €25,000 (2025), €100,000 annually (from 2026) |
| One-Time Additional Funding | €400,000 (2025–2027) |
| Satellite Imagery Use | To verify compliance with replanting obligations |
| Protected Areas | Netherlands Nature Network and formally designated woodlands |
| Municipal Responsibility | Smaller woodlands and permit systems |
The Province of Overijssel is responsible for regulating and preserving woodlands in rural areas, particularly larger tree clusters. It enforces environmental policies to maintain biodiversity, landscape quality, and climate resilience, often collaborating with municipalities for smaller-scale tree management.
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Province of Overijssel to fully enforce replanting obligation for notified tree felling
The Province of Overijssel has begun fully enforcing the replanting obligation for the felling of trees and woodlands. The move follows concerns over the decline in the number of trees in rural areas and the need to protect the landscape. The decline has been identified through satellite imagery 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 regulates larger woodlands in rural areas, such as rows of more than twenty trees or areas larger than 1,000 square metres. Municipalities are responsible for smaller woodlands and operate under a permit system. Those who fell one or more trees are usually required to plant new ones. This does not always happen. It has also been observed that hedgerows with trees are sometimes removed without prior notification to the province.
Additional capacity to preserve trees
The replanting obligation is not without reason. “We have long seen a structural decline in woodlands across our province. This is concerning, as trees have traditionally shaped the Overijssel landscape. They also play a crucial role in CO₂ absorption and are vital for biodiversity,” says Martijn Dadema (Deputy). “Due to insufficient capacity to intervene, Provincial Council has made additional funds available. This will allow us to better enforce the replanting obligation and ensure our valuable landscape is preserved.” We are also using satellite imagery to identify locations where trees have disappeared without notification of felling.
Worrying decline in rural areas
Trees within the Netherlands Nature Network or formally designated as woodland are well protected. In rural areas outside these zones, the province also aims 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 only about 5 hectares of new planting are added annually. Despite previous planting of 1.1 million trees and the ambition to add 10% more by 2030, “action is needed, and I hope landowners will take responsibility themselves. After all, trees benefit us all,” says the Deputy.
More funding for tree preservation
In 2025, a structural €25,000 has been allocated for an additional enforcement officer, rising to €100,000 annually from 2026 onwards. Additionally, a one-time €400,000 is available for the period 2025 to 2027 to address backlogs in inspections and further develop the approach. The increased enforcement is part of a broader strategy that also focuses on clear communication, regulations, and collaboration with municipalities.