This dataset applies to Felling Licence Applications received by Forestry Commission Scotland between 1998 and 2011. Anyone wishing to fell trees had to ensure that a licence or permission under a grant scheme had been issued by the Forestry Commission before any felling was carried out or that one of the exceptions apply.

You normally needed to get permission from the Forestry Commission to fell growing trees. This was usually given in a Felling Licence or an approval under a grant scheme. In certain circumstances you may also have needed special permission from another organisation for any proposed felling. This sometimes applied even if you did not need a Felling Licence.

Everyone involved in the felling of trees, whether doing the work or by engaging others, eg. the owner, agent, timber merchant or contractor, must have ensured that a licence or approval under a grant scheme had been issued before any felling was carried out or that one of the exceptions apply. They must also have ensured that the work was carried out in accordance with the terms of a Forestry Commission permission. If there was no licence or other valid permission, or if the wrong trees were felled, anyone involved can be prosecuted.

For more detailed information please see the metadata record on Scotland's SpatialData.gov.scot Metadata Portal.