Green Card

Valuable trees and special timber stands are a precious asset. They are special because of their advanced age, beauty or rarity. They often stand in special places and are image-defining in their surroundings. To protect and preserve these wood stands, the municipality of Gemert-Bakel has a Green Map.

The Green Map remains under development. The municipality's green spaces and trees/planting ribbons within the cores are still being processed on map.

View the green map of valuable trees and special wood stands in Gemert-Bakel.(external link)

Cutting down trees or (parts of) wood stands on the Green Map requires a permit . Cutting a tree within the structure lines and green areas as indicated on the Green Map also requires a permit .

If the application for felling is submitted because preservation of the tree no longer seems responsible, an additional report is required. This report, drawn up by a tree expert (at least ETW certified), shows that the tree cannot be safely maintained.

In addition, before felling a tree or wood stand, it remains necessary to check the environmental plan to determine whether an environmental permit is required.

For trees listed on the Green Map, a permit for felling will only be granted in exceptional cases.
The exact conditions can be found in the protected green space ordinance(external link).

To help with the cost of maintaining your valuable tree, the municipality has set up a contribution scheme. In short, it amounts to a contribution for a number of activities aimed at the sustainable preservation of the tree. The contribution is 50% of the costs. You must submit an itemized quote to the municipality before carrying out the work. After approval, you can have the work carried out. Once the work has been completed, you can submit the request for contribution with the original invoice and proof of payment.

For a valuable tree on the Green Map, as of January 2019, you can take advantage of this scheme. You can find the conditions in the contribution scheme(external link).

The application form for a contribution can be found here.(external link).

Try to schedule work on trees between mid-August and mid-February whenever possible. This is the least vulnerable period for breeding birds. Most birds in towns, cities and forests nest approximately between March 15 and July 15.

In the municipality of Gemert-Bakel, the distance of woody stands from the property boundary (as referred to in Article 5:42 of the Civil Code) is set at 0.5 meters for trees and zero for shrubs and hedges.

You can submit your application digitally via the Omgevingsloket online(external link). Here you will also find the submission requirements.

Residents can also submit an application on paper (at the counter in City Hall or by mail).

Businesses cannot. They are required by law to submit applications digitally.

If it concerns only an environmental permit with the activity "performing a work", a regular procedure applies. If several activities are applicable, an extensive procedure may also be involved.