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Forestry Grants

Forestry Grants are provided under Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities.  

The links below provide details of eligibility criteria and the grant rates available.  Links to technical help for the forestry options are at the bottom of this page

Woodland Creation

From 1 October 2012, we have introduced a monthly “clearing” process for all   applications with a total payments value of £20K or more. You can read the full details in the FCS Briefing Note 6 – SRDP Forestry Grants (PDF 45k)

Creating new woodlands by planting or natural regeneration using any of six planting models:

Changes to encourage more planting of productive woodland creation models

We are now experiencing levels of interest in woodland creation which are much closer to our target of 9,000 hectares each year funded through grant aid. 

So far the majority of planting activity (about 75%) has taken place using the Native Woodland planting Option in Rural Priorities. In future, we would like to see a greater proportion of Woodland Creation take place using the productive Woodland Creation Options which are most likely to yield a future timber harvest.

To encourage this we are making some changes in the availability of Rural Priorities grant funding from 18 May 2012:

  • Area of Farmland Premium that can be claimed with the Native Woodland option capped at 50 hectares per proposal;
  • Area of Central Scotland Mixed Woodland option that you can apply for within a single proposal limited to a range of between 20 to 45 hectares.  The upper limit requires a proportion of the productive woodland creation models to be included within the proposal

Sustainable Management of Forests

From 1 October 2012, we have introduced changes to Sustainable Management of Forests. You can read the full details in the FCS Briefing Note 6 – SRDP Forestry Grants (45k) 

RP22501A Sustainable Management of Forests - Native woodlands

We have closed this grant to any new applications from 1 October 2012. We have also introduced a ‘clearing process’ for proposals already submitted which are   £20k or above.

For native woodland areas under active management that require work to maintain or bring them towards a favourable condition.

RP22501A Sustainable Management of Forests - Native woodlands

RP22501B Sustainable Management of Forests – LISS

We have closed this grant to any new applications from 1 October 2012. We have also introduced a ‘clearing process’ for proposals already submitted  which are  £20k or above.

For woodland areas under active management and where it is appropriate to use low-impact silvicultural systems (LISS) 

RP22501B Sustainable Management of Forests – LISS

RP22501C Sustainable Management of Forests - Public access

We have closed this grant to any new applications from 1 October 2012. We have also introduced a ‘clearing process’ for proposals already submitted  which are £20k or above.

For woodland areas that have a high level of access and recreational use and that require associated environmental management

RP22501C Sustainable Management of Forests - Public access

RP22501D Sustainable Management of Forests - Restructuring felling

This grant continues to be open to new applications and subject to “on-going approval process”

For even-aged woodland areas that are to be restructured through tree felling and re-planting.

RP22501D Sustainable Management of Forests - Restructuring felling

RP22501E Sustainable Management of Forests - Livestock removal

We have closed this grant to any new applications from 1 October 2012. We have also introduced a ‘clearing process’ for proposals already submitted which are £20k or above.

For native woodland areas where livestock removal is required to bring the woodland into a favourable condition

RP22501E Sustainable Management of Forests - Livestock removal

RP22501F Sustainable Management of Forests – Woodland Grazing

We have closed this grant to any new applications from 1 October 2012. We have also introduced a ‘clearing process’ for proposals already submitted  which are £20k or above.

For native woodland areas where controlled livestock grazing will enhance biodiversity and ecological condition

RP22501F Sustainable Management of Forests – Woodland Grazing

Woodland Improvement Grant

From 1 October 2012, we have introduced changes to Woodland Improvement Grants. You can read the full details in the FCS Briefing Note 6 – SRDP Forestry Grants (PDF 45k)

RP22701 Woodland Improvement Grant - long term forest planning

This grant continues to be open to new applications and subject to “on-going approval process”

For preparing a 10-20 year plan of the management of woodlands on a property

RP22701 Woodland Improvement Grant - long term forest planning

RP22702 Woodland Improvement Grant - reducing deer impact

We have closed this grant to any new applications from 1 October 2012. We have also introduced a ‘clearing process’ for proposals already submitted which are £20k or above.

Managing the impact of deer as described in your Deer Management Plan

RP22702 Woodland Improvement Grant - reducing deer impact

RP22703 Woodland Improvement Grant - woodland habitats and species

We have closed this grant to any new applications from 1 October 2012 except for rhododendron removal where this is associated with a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN). We have also introduced a ‘clearing process’ for proposals already submitted which are £20k or above.

Preparing a management plan and carrying out work that will benefit habitats or species that are a priority under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

RP22703 Woodland Improvement Grant - woodland habitats and species

RP22704 Woodland Improvement Grant - restructuring regeneration

This grant continues to be open to new applications and subject to “on-going approval process”

For even-aged woodland areas that are to be restructured through tree felling and re-planting.

RP22704 Woodland Improvement Grant - restructuring regeneration

RP22705 Woodland Improvement Grant - non woodland habitats

We have closed this grant to any new applications from 1 October 2012 except for rhododendron removal where this is associated with a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN). We have also introduced a ‘clearing process’ for proposals already submitted which are £20k or above.

Preparing a management plan and carrying out work that will benefit priority habitats under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan

RP22705 Woodland Improvement Grant - non-woodland habitats

Other forestry related grants available

Improving the Economic Value of Forests

We have closed this grant to any new applications from 1 October 2012.

This Option provides support for a range of specified operations that will improve timber quality. We will only support the net cost of operations and so you must provide evidence of operational expenditure and income.

If your woodlands are undergoing certification, in accordance with the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS), we will support some of the costs.

Further information about Improving the Economic Value of Forests Option

Short Rotation Coppice crops of Willow or Poplar

This Option remains open.

Can provide an Option for farm diversification that has the economic potential to take advantage of any emerging local wood fuel markets and renewable energy projects.

More about the Short Rotation Coppice Option

Management of Ancient Wood Pasture

This Option will enhance and extend areas of ancient wood pasture to ensure they continue to support a range of invertebrates, birds, plants and other wildlife by maintaining veteran trees, introducing or encouraging regeneration of appropriate trees and managing the open pasture beneath and between those trees.

Further details of the Management of Ancient Woodland Pasture Option

Disease Management Measures for Phytophthora Ramorum in Scotland – grant support package

The grant support package offers grants to woodland owners for Agent Services to assist with advice, organising work and possibly harvesting and marketing.  Payments are also available for clearance work at a set rate per hectare.  Further details and full guidance is available

Technical help

From time to time we publish more detailed advice about certain aspects of Forestry Options.  This information may be very helpful to you when you are considering making an application for grant aid.  The documents are listed on separate pages by the forestry option to which they relate