When should I submit a forest notification?
The forest owner or the representative of the owner must submit a forest notification to the Environmental Board:
- Concerning planned cuttings, except cleaning
- Concerning serious forest damage not entered in the forest register.
Without submitting a forest notification, the forest owner may cut up to 20 solid cubic metres of wood per immovable per year.
NB! If the cutting of trees or shrubs does not require the submission of a forest notification within the meaning of the Forest Act, but the planned cutting work is carried out in the water protection zone, the consent of the Environmental Board is required for the cutting of the tree and shrub layer, except in case of building and managing the land improvement system. Application for authorisation.
The consent of the local government is required for cutting of single trees in a densely populated area.
The Environmental Board assesses the compliance of the submitted forest notification with the requirements
Within 15 working days, the Environmental Board verifies the conformity of the forest notification with the requirements, and the compliance of the planned cutting with the requirements established by legislation.
If making a decision on the planned cutting requires approval or a forest protection expert assessment pursuant to § 29 (12) of the Forest Act, the Environmental Board has up to 30 working days to verify the forest notification.
In case of substantive issues arising from filling in a forest notification and other forest-related issues, please contact the consultants of private forestry of SA Erametsakeskus, who help forest owners fill out various forms, apply for grants and give general information about your forest. They are experts in the forestry sector and are guided by the client's needs, wishes, opportunities and limitations. It is recommended to call the consultant in advance and make an appointment for consultation.
Cutting or significant forest damage that complies with the requirements of legislation is registered in the forest register. If the forest notification has been submitted on paper, the Environmental Board will send a registry extract to the submitter of the notification regarding the registration of the cutting. Replies to forest notifications submitted as digitally signed by e-mail will be received on the forest portal. If you would like to receive a printed version of the reply, please add a corresponding note in your forest notification e-mail.
Pursuant to legislation, the Environmental Board may, in justified cases, set additional conditions for carrying out the cutting planned with a forest notification.
If the planned cutting does not comply with the requirements of legislation, the reasons for the refusal are stated in writing and recommendations for bringing the activity into compliance with legislation are made.
A forest owner may perform cutting within 24 months following the registration of the cutting or forest protection expert assessment in the forest register.
What does the Environmental Board do?
- It enters, processes and issues data of forest notifications and fieldwork, reforestation and forest protection experts.
- It ensures the correctness of the data of forest notifications and fieldwork, reforestation and forest protection experts entered in the forest register.
- It provides user support related to forest notifications, fieldwork, reforestation and forest protection data in the forest register.
How to submit a forest notification?
It is possible to submit a forest notification
- in the forest register,
- electronically filled and signed (info@keskkonnaamet.ee),
- by coming to the nearest office of the Environmental Board or
- by sending the completed form to the office.
More information at info@keskkonnaamet.ee
National Forest Register
The purpose of the Forest Register is to collect and preserve data on the location, area, reserve, use and condition of the forest.
The Environment Agency, the Environmental Board and the Information Technology Centre of the Ministry Climate have the right to process the data in the Forest Register.
The public web application of the Forest Register is found at register.metsad.ee, and it is also possible to submit an e-forest notification there.
If you have any questions about the technical issues of submitting an e-forest notification:
Call customer support: +372 662 5999
(MON-THU 9.00-16.00, FRI 9.00-14.30)
Send an email: klienditugi@keskkonnaamet.ee
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Last updated: 11.02.2025
