Forest Ordinance (ForO)

HomeHome01 Definition Of Forest01 Definition Of Forest02 Protection Of The Forest Against Intervention02 Protection Of The Forest Against Intervention03 Protection Against Natural Events03 Protection Against Natural Events04 Maintenance And Use Of The Forest04 Maintenance And Use Of The Forest05 Training And Basic Data05 Training And Basic Data06 Financial Assistance Excluding Investment06 Financial Assistance Excluding Investment07 Investment Credits07 Investment Credits08 Final Provisions08 Final Provisions09 Transitional Provision To The Amendment Of 209 Transitional Provision To The Amendment Of 210 Transitional Provision On The Amendment Of 1710 Transitional Provision On The Amendment Of 17

English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.

Art. 1 Definition of forest

(Art. 2 para. 4 ForA) 1 The cantons shall define the parameters according to which a wooded area is defined as forest, within the following ranges: a. area, including an appropriate forest margin: 200–800 m2; b. width, including an appropriate forest margin: 10–12 m; c. age of stands in newly colonised areas: 10–20 years. 2 If the stand fulfils particularly important social or protective functions, it is defined as forest, irrespective of its area, its width or its age.

Art. 2 Wooded pastures

(Art. 2 para. 2 ForA) Wooded pastures are areas consisting of a mosaic of wooded areas and open pastures and which fulfil both livestock husbandry and forestry purposes.

Art. 3 Check dams and foreground

(Art. 2 para. 3 ForA) 1 Check dams are structures that hinder the natural flow of water and create a backwater. 2 The immediate foreground of a check dam is the terrain bordering the installation on the airside. It normally covers a 10-metre-wide strip.

Official text on Fedlex — consolidation of 1 August 2025

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