Unlawful felling of trees

Legal defence in cases of unlawful tree felling

Unlawful tree felling (Article 143 of the Forestry Code) carries penalties depending on the damage: up to 5 times the average price per cubic metre, 6 months–3 years or a fine; above that threshold and up to 20 times inclusive, one year–5 years and the specific disqualification; above 20 times, 2–7 years and the same disqualification. Felling dwarf mountain pine, within or outside the national forest estate (FFN), over more than 100 m² carries one year–5 years or a fine, independently of the value thresholds. The exceptions in paragraphs (4) and (5) have their own conditions. Ownership of the land does not automatically authorise felling.

Unavoidable operational damage, safety exceptions and defence strategies

The authorisation, marking, inventory and volume affected by the damage are essential. The exception for unavoidable damage requires authorised activity, verification by authorised forestry personnel and a written request to the forestry district stating the volume; Article 143 paragraph (5) does not add an undefined independent submission deadline.
The lawyer also checks the traffic-safety exception, separately from dwarf mountain pine covering more than 100 m². Calculation of the damage follows the thresholds specific to Article 143, without confusing the 20-times threshold with that in Article 142. Ownership and economic explanations alone do not exclude the act.

Urgent legal assistance in Focșani and Vrancea county

Vrancea County, known for intensive forestry operations in its mountain areas, is constantly monitored through radar systems and strict traffic checks, frequently leading to criminal investigations and the immediate seizure of logging machinery, transport trucks and timber. Basuc Cosmin Law Office in Focșani offers you urgent legal assistance and technical representation before the police, the Forest Guard and prosecutors’ offices in Vrancea County. We assist you during the critical interview stage, challenge precautionary measures freezing heavy machinery and provide a rigorous defence before Focșani District Court or the Vrancea Tribunal, fighting to protect your company’s business operations and obtain the most favourable legal outcome.