Raasiku investigates excess tree felling in Aruküla pine grove

A developer has cut down more trees than permitted on two plots in Aruküla, leaving a pine grove largely cleared, ERR reported. Raasiku municipality is investigating, while the property owner says he informed officials and did nothing wrong.

Trees have been felled in stages on the Suvila 25 and 27 plots since August. Veigo Gutmann, who bought the properties at a municipal auction, plans to build a semi-detached house on each.

Raasiku Mayor Bärbel Salumäe said a permit covered a certain number of trees within the building area, but more had been cut down than authorised. The municipality’s environmental specialist, Johanna Sepmann, said residents had told officials that the felling initially followed the permit but later expanded on instructions given to an arborist.

Gutmann said he had provided a written guarantee to replant the required number of felled pines and had kept the municipality informed. He said he chose ground-source heating instead of an air-source heat pump and cleared the foliage and undergrowth. He also removed two mature maples at the rear of the property, which he said he had told the municipality about.

Municipal officials will count the stumps next week and begin proceedings. Local resident Kaja Kibena said she expected the municipality to strengthen oversight of all tree felling, noting that Raasiku municipality, and Aruküla in particular, was known for its trees and environment.

The Nature Conservation Act provides for a fine of 3,200 euros per tree for a legal entity. Salumäe said the outcome would be clear after next week’s inventory.