SB6: Rhododendron control

This item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Higher Tier Capital Grants 2025 guidance to understand the rules and how to apply.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the CSHT applicant’s guide to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

You’ll need to use the following codes when applying for different specifications for this capital item.

The higher rate will apply where the site is classed in one or more of these categories. For example, if the site is on a steep slope with an average height of less than 2.5m.

How this item benefits the environment

Rhododendron reduces the biodiversity value of a site and hinders woodland regeneration. When it’s established, it’s difficult and costly to eradicate. It can also be a host for the fungus-like pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, which affects larch.

Controlling rhododendron reduces the negative effects it can have on a site.

Where you can use this item

You can use this item:

• as part of a Woodland Tree Health grant
• with the agreement of the Forestry Commission, on the same area as land in WD2: Woodland improvement or CWD2: Woodland improvement
• on other habitats with the agreement of Natural England

What you must do to use this item

As part of your agreement, you’re likely to need to:

• check the slope on the ground – you cannot base it solely on map contours
• destroy all rhododendron within the target area
• cut all live rhododendron material from the stump, allowing access for chemical spraying of any re-growth
• treat all stumps with a suitable herbicide on the day of being cut and in frost free and rain free conditions – rain should not be forecast for at least 6 hours
• dispose of cut material so it allows access to stumps for chemical spraying of any re-growth
• control any harmful weed species (when the site regenerates) if there’s a risk of spread to pastureland (used by grazing livestock or conserved for forage)
• chemically treat re-growth with a recommended herbicide – follow the manufacturer’s guidance on application rates and safety requirements
• keep the operations in line with recommendations in the Forestry Commission practice guide Managing and controlling invasive rhododendron

Removing infected rhododendron

When removing rhododendron infected with Phytophthora ramorum or Phythopthora kernoviae, you must:

• clean or disinfect clothing, equipment and vehicles following advice in the Forestry Commission biosecurity guidance
• use disinfectants that have gone through a Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) safety assessment and an environmental assessment

Burning waste material

You may need to discuss if you should burn cut waste material with your local Forestry Commission or Natural England adviser. If told to burn it, you must:

• agree in advance where the burn site will be
• build bonfires far enough away from trees (at least 10m from the crown of any tree) to avoid damaging them
• make sure burning sites and piles of wood are not on patches of ground where they could damage species-rich grassland, anthills or other ecological or archaeological features
• clean up the site as soon as possible after burning – burning on a metal sheet reduces damage to the soil and makes it easier to remove ash from the site

What your management plan must include

If you want to use this item on a woodland site. your woodland management plan needs to identify rhododendron as both:

• being present
• posing a threat to successful management

These do not apply if you’re removing rhododendron due to a tree health issue.

You should discuss and agree requirements that are specific to your site with your adviser.

Evidence you must keep

You must keep photographs of the completed work and provide with your claim.

You must also keep and provide on request:

• an approved woodland management plan (unless the rhododendron is infected by Phytopthora ramorum, Phytophthora kernoviae or within 3km of a Statutory Plant Health Notice and you do not need a management plan)
• any bank statements, receipted invoices, consents or permissions connected with the work
• a Forestry Commission Management Plan approval letter (if required)

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide.

Advice to help you use this item

The following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements.

Assessing the slope class

The payment rate depends on the slope of the site and height of the rhododendron.

You can estimate the slope by eye, but a clinometer will give a better assessment.

Contours on maps can give an indication of slope but you’ll need to check the slope on the ground.