Going green can be expensive

Going green can be expensive

I've just fulfilled an old dream by becoming the owner of a plot of land with a good 1,000 m² of woodland. However, a friend has disappointed me by warning me about the countless rules I'll apparently have to follow, and the fact that I won't be able to maintain the forest as I see fit, not to mention the high costs involved. Is he right?

P., Geneva

Your friend was right to warn you: as the owner of a parcel of land containing a forest, you will have to comply with a number of legal requirements. Proper forest maintenance is one of them.

In Geneva, the law on forests (hereinafter LForêts) governs forests belonging to private owners. It defines a forest as a plant formation of trees and shrubs at least 15 years old, with a surface area of at least 500 m² and a minimum width of 12 metres. This definition includes not only natural wooded areas but also plantations and urban forests.

If the area of woodland you own falls within the scope of the Forestry Act, you are subject to the many obligations and responsibilities arising from this law. The most important of these is tree maintenance, including the felling of diseased or dead trees, reforestation and fire prevention. All forestry work, including tree felling, must be approved by the cantonal forest inspector. Owners must therefore obtain the necessary authorisations before undertaking any significant felling, failing which they will be penalised.

Faced with the practical and financial challenges imposed by the Forestry Act, the canton of Geneva offers grants and subsidies to encourage sustainable forest management. You can apply for subsidies and get advice from forest management professionals.

In addition to your maintenance obligations, you also have certain responsibilities. For example, if an accident occurs in a woodland as a result of the owner's negligence (e.g. due to a fallen tree not being removed), the owner may be held civilly liable. Similarly, in view of the public's right of access to forests, and subject to any restrictions necessary for reasons of safety or protection of flora and fauna, owners must ensure that paths and tracks are safe and passable.

Violation of the obligations imposed by the law may result in administrative and criminal penalties, such as fines. The authorities may also order rehabilitation measures at the owners' expense. So make sure you have all the information you need about your obligations before undertaking any work in your forest.