3,706. Chopping Down Trees During Shemittah

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 1:18

If someone cuts down one or two trees for their wood, he may dig out their roots. If he cuts down three or more trees that are next to one another, he may not dig out their roots because doing so improves the land. Rather, he must cut off the part that’s above ground, leaving the roots in their place. This is the case in one’s own field, but in a neighbor’s field he may dig out the roots.

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 1:19

One who is chopping olive branches for wood may not cover the place where they grew with soil as this constitutes doing work with the tree, though he may cover it with stones or straw.