Reforestation and Deforestation

Reforestation pursuant to Section 14 of the Forest Act (HWaldG) is generally permitted in the Fulda district only with the approval of the lower-level nature conservation authority. Any new forest establishment, including through natural regeneration, on land not previously used for forestry—such as cropland, grassland, or fallow land—is subject to approval. The goal is to ensure orderly land development and to take ecological and economic concerns into account.

For new forest plantings, depending on the location of the reforestation area, other government agencies and public-law entities—such as the local agricultural authority, the local water authority, and the affected municipality or city—are asked to provide their input. For reforestation projects covering 2 hectares or more, an environmental impact assessment may be required. For larger areas exceeding 5 hectares, regional planning agencies and the higher forestry authority are also involved in the approval process. For example, the assessment examines whether the reforestation disrupts the landscape, endangers valuable biotopes, or significantly impairs the agricultural structure; whether it violates water protection laws; or whether other significant adverse effects on the surrounding area are to be feared.

“Clearing” in the legal sense refers to the conversion of forest land (Section 12 of the Forest Conservation and Conversion Act (HWaldG)). This means that the area permanently or temporarily loses its status as forest. In Germany, forest may only be converted with a permit from the lower-level nature conservation authority. The authority assesses the interests of nature conservation, water management, and agricultural structure. Permission shall be denied if the preservation of the forest is in the overriding public interest. Here, as with initial afforestation, the key consideration is that clearing must not significantly impair the interests of nature conservation, water management, and landscape conservation. In addition, the forest’s essential importance for the functioning of the ecosystem, forestry production, or public recreation is also evaluated.

In Germany, the principle of forest conservation applies. Anyone who clears a forest must, as a general rule, carry out compensatory or replacement reforestation. If this is not realistically possible, a forest conservation fee (monetary payment) is due. The fee is earmarked for specific purposes. The money is used, for example, to plant new forests elsewhere, to ecologically enhance existing forests (e.g., converting them into climate-resilient mixed forests), or to safeguard the protective and recreational functions of the forest.

The reforestation application form is available in the download section of this page and at the forestry offices. For the reforestation application, the applicant need only fill out the first page (attach any supporting documents as needed). The second page contains a processing sheet that the applicant must complete in collaboration with the forestry office.

Applications for land clearing are submitted informally to the district administration. The following information must be provided:

• Applicant (Name, Address), Date, Signature
• Information on the area or size of the cleared land
• Description of the Purpose of the Proposed Clearing
• Justification for the Project
• Information on the planned implementation period
  • Municipal district, cadastral section, parcel(s)
  • Area of the entire parcel
  • Site plan or aerial map showing the cleared area
  • Proof of Ownership (Copy of Land Registry)
  • Information on Current Use