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NOT ALLOWED Flanders Wallonia Brussels

Can I take dry branches or wood lying on the ground in the forest?

In short

No, as a rule you cannot. In Flanders and Brussels, it is forbidden, including dry branches. In Wallonia, you must have the owner's permission.

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This rule in 57 seconds
Video transcript

A walk in the forest. There are lots of dry branches on the ground. Not allowed: As a rule, you may not. In Flanders and Brussels even dry branches are banned; in Wallonia you need the owner's permission. The right way: Leave the branches in the forest. If you need wood, buy it. Outcome: Wallonia: 50 – 150 € settlement fine; Wood and vehicle: Can be seized; Cutting and taking a tree: Theft: 6 months – 3 years.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • Flanders: Taking wood from the forest, including dry branches, is forbidden. An exception is only possible with the forest owner's permission and authorisation from the Agency for Nature and Forests (Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos), or if an approved management plan provides for it.
  • Wallonia: Without the owner's permission, you may not take anything, including dry wood.
  • Brussels: Collecting wood in the Sonian Forest is forbidden.
  • Cutting down a tree is much more serious: it violates forest law. If you cut down the tree and take it away, it can count as theft (Criminal Code, art. 465, level 2).
  • In nature reserves, you may not take anything.

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICE
Fine / payment
An official report and an administrative fine. In Wallonia, the forest administration can propose a settlement fine of 50–150 €; in the other regions, ask the regional authority about the amount.

Legal basis:wallonie.be – Circuler en forêt

Court / prison
Cutting down and taking away someone else's tree can count as theft: Criminal Code, art. 465, level 2 (6 months – 3 years). Knowingly damaging a tree can also be vandalism.

Legal basis:Kamer DOC 55 3518/011, art. 465Kamer DOC 55 3518/011, art. 465 + DOC 55 3374/010, art. 36

What really matters: the indirect consequences

  • The forest ranger writes a report. In Wallonia, taking fallen or felled wood carries the same penalty as cutting down a tree.

    Legal basis:Code forestier 15.7.2008, art. 101

  • If a tree was cut down, you will be asked to pay compensation for the damage

    Legal basis:BW Boek 6, art. 6.5

  • A conviction for theft goes on your criminal record

    Legal basis:Sv. art. 590, 1°

What do these terms mean?

Criminal record
The state register of convictions handed down by a court. The extract asked for a job, residence or nationality application comes from it. Municipal GAS fines are not entered in it.

All terms: glossary →

Why does this rule exist?

Dead wood is a habitat: insects, fungi and birds need it, and it keeps the forest healthy. A forest is not ownerless; the wood in it also belongs to the owner.

Check your own situationThe right decision in natureChestnuts, mushrooms, dead wood, linden flowers, fishing, the tree in your garden, a barbecue in the park: what is allowed and what is not?

Where can you go?

  • Regional nature agenciesFlanders: Natuur en Bos · Wallonia: DNF · Brussels: Bruxelles Environnement
  • MunicipalityMunicipal forests, animal registration and places for sacrificial slaughter
  • Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.

This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses

Source and reliability

Official source
Source check
13 / 13 statements in an official source
Checked: 02.11.2026
Last checked
22.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 13 checked statementsopen

The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.

General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?

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