Provides financial support for small areas of tree planting.
Contents
Introduction
This scheme provides financial support for small areas of tree planting on land between 0.1 hectare and 2 hectares.
Planting can be:
- shelterwoods
- alongside watercourses,
- in field corners/small fields
- stock shelter
- biodiversity
- wood-fuel
Dates for the next windows for applications are available at Rural schemes: application dates.
Who can apply
Farmers and other landowners can apply for the scheme. Trees must be planted on land which is:
- agriculturally improved, or
- of low environmental value
The Small Grants – Woodland Creation map shows which land is eligible for this scheme.
What the scheme offers
The scheme provides funding for the planting of trees and the installation of fencing and gates.
It also offers 12 years of maintenance and premium payments (compensation for loss of agricultural income).
Planting trees under the scheme will not affect Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments or land eligibility.
As part of the scheme, a UKFS compliant woodland creation plan will be created by RPW’s online system.
Payment rates
Successful applicants will be paid for each hectare of trees they plant. Payment amounts depend on the type of planting and the numbers of trees planted in each hectare of land:
| Category | Trees per hectare | payment per hectare |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Woodland and streamside | 1,100 | £3,302 |
| Native biodiversity | 1,100 | £3,302 |
| Wet woodland and streamside | 1,600 | £4,550 |
| Native biodiversity | 1,600 | £4,550 |
| Wood fuel (productive) | 2,500 | £5,146 |
| Shelterwood (productive) | 2,500 | £5,146 |
| Red squirrel | 1,600 | £4,550 |
| Red squirrel | 2,500 | £5,146 |
| Native shelterwood | 2,500 | £6,170 |
| Coastal (from next EOI window 19 May 2025) | 800 | £4,000 |
| Fruit and nut (from next EOI window 19 May 2025) | 800 | £4,000 |
The scheme also pays for fencing and gates to be installed around tree planting areas. The payment rates are:
- fencing – £8.32 per metre
- deer fencing (from window 3) - £11.93 per metre
- timber bridle gate and posts - £220.83 each
- timber kissing gate and posts - £237.80 each
- standard gate (metal) - £221 each
- standard gate (softwood) - £291.75 each
- standard gate (hardwood) - £669.41 each
- funding for advice - £300
The scheme provides annual maintenance payments per hectare to look after the trees over a 12 year period as below. The maintenance rate per hectare for year 1 is £400, year 2 is £300 and year 3 is £250. The rate per year from year 4 to year 12 is £70.
To compensate for the loss of agricultural income on the land that trees are planted on, the scheme also provides annual premium payments of £350 per hectare.
How to apply
There will be a number of application windows throughout the year. Applications are made on Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online.
More Information on:
- how to apply
- technical guidance
- scheme rules
- terms and conditions
- how to complete guides
are available at Small Grants - Woodland Creation.
Get help to apply and further information
For further advice on policies and grants phone the Farm Liaison Service
Technical advice is available from Farming Connect and from the NRW woodland Creation Hub.