By Order 1.048/644/175/2026, published in Official Gazette no. 476 of June 8, 2026, concrete procedures are established for the inventory, protection, and, in exceptional cases, felling of valuable trees, as well as the compensation mechanism for private owners.
What does it stipulate?
The Order operationalizes Law no. 97/2023, creating a clear legal framework for the protection of trees with special value. The main novelty is the establishment of the Catalog of Remarkable Trees, a public database managed by the National Agency for Environmental Protection and Protected Areas. The inclusion of a tree in this catalog grants it a special protection regime, regardless of whether it is on public or private property. The identification and inventory procedure can be initiated by authorities (forestry districts, mayoralties) or at the request of any natural person or legal entity, including the landowner.
Severe restrictions are imposed on the felling of trees registered in the Catalog. Interventions are permitted only in three exceptional situations: the tree is completely dry, it is felled by natural phenomena, or it poses an imminent danger to the safety of persons and property. Any felling requires obtaining a prior favorable opinion from the territorially competent forest guard. Requesting the opinion involves submitting documentation that includes the reason for felling and a risk assessment sheet. In case of imminent danger, intervention can be carried out without an opinion, but with the obligation to notify the forest guard within 24 hours.
For private owners (natural persons or legal entities) whose lands contain trees included in the Catalog, a financial compensation mechanism is introduced. The compensation covers the loss of economic value resulting from the inability to exploit the wood. The amount is calculated by multiplying the estimated volume of the tree by the average price of one cubic meter of wood. The total amount is granted in five equal annual installments, at the owner’s request, paid by the National Agency for Environmental Protection and Protected Areas from state budget funds.
To whom does it apply?
The norms primarily target the following categories:
- Private land owners (natural persons and legal entities), including agricultural companies, real estate developers, and industrial park owners, whose properties contain trees that can be classified as remarkable.
- Real estate developers and construction companies, whose projects may be conditioned by the existence of such trees on the targeted sites.
- Forest fund administrators and forestry districts, who have direct responsibilities in the inventory and approval process.
- Administrative-territorial units (mayoralties), responsible for the inventory and protection of remarkable trees within the built-up areas of localities.
What should you do?
- Evaluate owned properties to identify potential remarkable trees (based on size, age, rare species, or historical value) and anticipate any restrictions or opportunities.
- Initiate the inventory procedure if you own such trees, by contacting the local forestry district or mayoralty to request their registration in the national Catalog.
- Request compensation if you are a private owner and have trees registered in the Catalog. Submit the request to the territorial forest guard to benefit from the financial compensation provided by law.
- Comply with the approval procedure before planning any intervention on a remarkable tree. Ensure you obtain a favorable opinion from the forest guard to avoid penalties.
Source: Official Gazette, Part I, no. 476 of June 8, 2026.
Note: This material is strictly for informational purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, or business advice. As the interpretation and application of legal provisions can vary significantly depending on the specific circumstances of each entity, we recommend seeking specialized legal assistance before adopting any operational decisions based on these changes.