Tree Felling Permit in Geneva: Steps and Rules

In Geneva, you cannot simply cut down a tree as you please: felling, and certain major pruning work, requires authorisation from the canton, issued by the cantonal Office for Agriculture and Nature (OCAN). A tree felling permit in Geneva must be obtained before any work begins, and you may be asked for compensation, usually in the form of replanting. This guide explains when to ask the question, how the process works and who can help you.

Why are trees protected in Geneva?

The canton has legislation protecting trees. It starts from a simple observation: a mature tree provides benefits that nothing can quickly replace. It gives shade in summer, cools the air, shelters birds and insects, holds back rainwater and shapes the character of a neighbourhood.

This protection is not limited to public parks. It can apply to trees in a private garden, including yours. The fact that a tree stands on your plot is therefore not enough to allow you to cut it down.

When should you ask the question?

The right reflex is a simple one: before cutting down, or having someone cut down, a tree of notable size, check whether a permit is needed. The following situations should put you on alert:

• you are considering removing an entire tree;
• you are planning heavy pruning, which removes a large part of the crown;
• a building, terrace, pool or garden creation project is close to a tree;
• the tree blocks light, affects pipework, or interferes with a façade or a fence;
• the tree is diseased, dead or unstable.

The precise conditions (type of tree, dimensions, location) are set by the canton. We do not reproduce them here because they may change: consult the canton’s official website (ge.ch) or contact OCAN directly to find out whether your tree is affected. If in doubt, it is better to ask before acting than to regularise the situation afterwards.

The steps of a felling application

Every case is different, but the process generally follows the same course:

1. Identify the tree and its context. Species, state of health, position on the plot, reason for the request. Dated photographs are very useful.
2. Submit the application to the canton. It is made to OCAN, with the form and documents indicated on ge.ch. The reason must be clear: danger, disease, building project, significant nuisance.
3. Review of the file. The authorities examine the application, may ask for further information and, depending on the case, visit the site to assess the condition of the tree.
4. Possible publication. Depending on the situation, the application may be officially published, allowing third parties to make themselves heard.
5. Decision. The permit is granted, granted with conditions, or refused. It may come with a compensation requirement.
6. Work. Work is carried out only once you hold the permit, and in line with its conditions.

Timescales depend on the case and the time of year: it is wise not to set a date for the work before you have received the decision.

Compensation: replacing the felled tree

When felling is authorised, the canton may require compensation. This most often means planting new trees to replace the one that is removed. The details are set out in the decision.

This obligation is worth anticipating in your garden project. Successful replanting means choosing a species suited to the soil and the available space, a location that leaves room for the tree to grow, and a favourable planting period. A guide to the garden calendar in Geneva helps you pinpoint the right season.

Dangerous trees and emergencies

A tree that threatens to fall, or a large broken branch above a path or a roof: the safety of people and property comes first. In these cases, you should not wait.

• Secure the area: move people away and block access beneath the tree.
• Have the condition of the tree assessed by a professional, who can document the risk (photos, description).
• Contact the canton without delay to report the situation and find out how to proceed with urgent work.

Even in an emergency, keep evidence of the condition of the tree and of what you did. It will be useful if the canton asks you for explanations or for the situation to be regularised.

The role of the landscape gardener or arborist

Hiring a professional does not replace the permit: the owner or manager of the land remains responsible for the application. However, a specialist can help you at several stages:

Sometimes an assessment concludes that safety pruning is enough, which avoids felling altogether. The tree pruning and removal service covers these interventions, and a garden creation or landscape design project can build the replanting into an overall scheme.

In Geneva: what makes a difference

The local context weighs on decisions. The lakeside climate exposes trees to the bise, a cold north wind that weakens specimens that already lean or have shallow roots. Increasingly frequent dry summers tire young plantings, which need regular watering during the first few years. In clay areas, the soil holds water in winter and cracks in summer, which can destabilise some trees.

The density of vegetation varies from one municipality to the next. In very leafy residential areas such as Cologny or Vandœuvres, mature trees are an integral part of the living environment. On the right bank, in Versoix, plots combine hedges, old specimens and recent plantings. In every case, cantonal legislation applies, and ge.ch remains the reference.

Calling on a landscape gardener

If you are unsure how to proceed, a site visit allows the tree to be assessed, the options (pruning, felling, replanting) to be discussed and the work to be priced. On Mon-jardinier.ch, you describe your project and a qualified landscape gardener contacts you within 24 hours for a visit and a free, no-obligation quote. You can request a quote right now. To compare providers, the guide to choosing a landscape gardener lists the points to check.

Frequently asked questions

Can I fell a tree on my land without a permit?

Not automatically. In Geneva, tree felling is governed by cantonal legislation on tree protection, and many cases require prior authorisation. Check with OCAN or on ge.ch before doing any work.

Who issues the felling permit?

The canton, through the cantonal Office for Agriculture and Nature (OCAN). The application is made directly to this department, following the procedure described on the official ge.ch website.

Do I have to replant if felling is authorised?

Compensation may be required, most often in the form of replanting. The conditions are set out in the decision. It is therefore sensible to plan the budget and the location of the new trees from the start of the project.

What should I do if a tree is about to fall?

First secure the area and move people away. Then have the condition of the tree assessed by a professional and contact the canton without delay to find out the emergency procedure. Keep photos and a record of the steps you have taken.

Can the gardener submit the application on my behalf?

They can help you prepare the file, through an assessment and a description of the problem, but responsibility for the application remains with the owner. Agree with them what they will handle before the work begins.