Swiss town admits to years of illegal felling of protected trees

The municipality of Münchenbuchsee in Bern, Switzerland, has admitted to issuing felling permits for protected trees for years—despite lacking the legal authority to do so. The issue only surfaced after a reader alerted the Bund newspaper, revealing a long-standing breach of cantonal law. Local officials had relied on outdated building regulations, unaware that such decisions fell under the cantonal governor's office.

For over a decade, Münchenbuchsee's municipal council approved the removal of protected trees, believing their own building rules gave them the power. The case came to light after the 2022 felling of a diseased summer lime tree on Lindenweg, which had been authorised under these outdated guidelines. Cantonal law, however, requires such permits to be handled by the governor's office and publicly announced.

The municipality oversees around 720 protected objects, including more than 170 trees in the highest conservation category. Over the past ten years, about 40 of these trees were felled—mostly due to disease, safety hazards, or construction needs. Each removal required replacement planting within two years, though exact figures on completed replacements remain unclear. The discovery prompted an immediate change in procedure, with the municipality now complying with cantonal rules. Despite the legal oversight, no penalties were imposed, as all past decisions had been made carefully with expert assessments. Felling old trees often sparks heated local debates, with residents divided between preservation efforts and concerns over public safety.

Münchenbuchsee has adjusted its practices to align with cantonal law, ending years of unauthorised tree felling permits. The case highlights the importance of clear regulatory oversight in environmental protection. While no formal consequences were issued, the municipality must now follow stricter approval processes for future removals.