Trees outside Forests certification – first urban trees are PEFC certified
The first-ever PEFC Trees outside Forests certificate was issued to the municipality of Zwolle in the Netherlands, marking a milestone in recognising the importance of urban trees.
Trees outside Forests certification – first urban trees are PEFC certified
17 March 2025 Certification on the ground
The first-ever PEFC Trees outside Forests certificate was issued to the municipality of Zwolle in the Netherlands, marking a milestone in recognising the importance of urban trees.
A milestone for urban forest management
Oscar van Doorn (SKH), Maarten Willemen (PEFC Netherlands) and Arjan Spaans (municipality of Zwolle). Credits PEFC Netherlands
In the Netherlands, PEFC Trees outside Forest (TOF) certification is a game changer for sustainable urban forestry.
It acknowledges the vital role of trees outside of traditional forests, from city parks to roadside plantings and offers municipalities the unique opportunity to protect their green capital and actively contribute to the circular economy.
“Sustainability doesn't stop at the forest edge. In the Netherlands, half of the trees grow outside traditional forest areas, significantly contributing to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health. Certification of these trees is therefore crucial, particularly as governmental organisations and companies nearly always require certified materials,” explained Marten de Groot, National Secretary of PEFC Netherlands.
“Certification not only enhances the ecological value of these trees but also provides vital assurances for organisations and companies dedicated to responsibly sourced materials. Moreover, because current forestry regulations do not fully address trees outside forests, certification is especially important to ensure their responsible management and conservation, preserving both their quantity and quality. Through certification, we open additional markets for tree owners, directly incentivising sustainable management practices.”
The journey to TOF certification
Trees outside Forests certification was one of the innovative developments of the 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard, and is now put into practice by the first national members achieving PEFC endorsement of their national TOF requirements.
The development of the TOF requirements was a collaborative effort, involving extensive stakeholder consultations, pilot projects in urban environments and rigorous refinement of certification criteria.
PEFC Netherlands: pioneering sustainable urban forestry
PEFC Netherlands are the pioneers in bringing this certification to life through the PEFC Certification System Netherlands.
Throughout the development and implementation of their national TOF requirements, PEFC Netherlands has involved a wide range of stakeholders.
Ecologists were engaged in the certification process, as well as municipal authorities and urban planners, who provided practical input. Environmental experts helped refine the criteria, ensuring the standard was well-informed and comprehensive.
This national collaborative approach has resulted in a strong standard that sets a positive example for others to follow.
Congratulations to the municipality of Zwolle for leading the way in Trees outside Forests certification, and to PEFC Netherlands for their pioneering efforts!
Last year, we spoke with Marten de Groot, National Secretary of PEFC Netherlands, following their endorsement. He shared insights on the standard development process and the impact of this new certification in the Netherlands.