Tree protection

Tree protection statutes of the city of Gera

The city of Gera has had a tree protection statute since 17.12.1997, which underwent minor amendments in 1999 and 2001 through a 1st and 2nd amendment statute. The 3rd amendment to the tree protection statute has been in place since 24.04.2014. The statute places all trees above a certain trunk circumference under protection in the inner area.

The Tree protection statute of the city of Gera protects the tree population within the built-up areas and within the scope of the development plans from a trunk circumference of 50 cm, dendrological features are already protected from a trunk circumference of 30 cm.

The removal of protected trees, including the impairment of their natural life functions, is generally prohibited. In individual cases, an exception or exemption from the protection requirements requires the approval of the lower nature conservation authority, which must be applied for in writing.

You can download the relevant application form from the download area on the left-hand side of this page.

If an exception or exemption from tree protection is granted, the felling permit is generally combined with the requirement to carry out appropriate replacement planting. Anyone who is unable to do so for actual reasons (e.g. lack of space on the property) has the option of paying for this. The payment is collected in an earmarked deposit account, from which the city itself carries out tree planting on public land.

New plantings or replacement plantings on private land

According to Section 8 of the City of Gera's tree protection statutes, once an exception or exemption has been granted for the removal of protected trees, the applicant is obliged to carry out replacement planting at their own expense. This is based on the trunk circumference of the protected tree to be removed. Up to a trunk circumference of 75 cm measured at a height of 1.00 m, a new high-stemmed tree with a trunk circumference of at least 14-16 cm must be planted as a replacement. If the circumference is more than 75 cm, an additional tree of the specified quality must be planted for each additional 25 cm of trunk circumference or part thereof. Further evaluation criteria for determining the height of the replacement planting are the vitality or life expectancy as well as the function in the natural balance and the significance for the local landscape.