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TE18

Pruning to restore veteran fruit trees

CS Higher Tier open_in_new View on RPA Website

£146.00

per tree · one-off

info Summary

TE18 is a Higher Tier Capital Grant for pruning neglected veteran fruit trees to restore them. This action provides valuable habitat for local wildlife by preserving deadwood and supports traditional orchards, requiring specific pruning timings for different fruit tree types and limits on woody growth removal.

format_list_bulleted What to do

  • Prune neglected fruit trees to prolong their life and preserve habitat features.
  • Prune apple and pear trees between October and April.
  • Prune stone fruit trees between May and September.
  • Place fallen deadwood in both sunny and shady positions.
  • Do not prune more than one-third of the woody growth in the crown of each tree.
  • Do not remove or burn standing, attached, fallen, or pruned deadwood from the orchard (unless diseased).

schedule When to do

  • Prune apple and pear trees between October and April.
  • Prune stone fruit trees between May and September.

checklist How to do and evidence required

View Official Guidelines

Access detailed information about this action on the RPA website

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info Additional Information

TE18: Pruning to restore veteran fruit trees

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

£146 per tree – you can only claim for each tree once during the 3-year length of the agreement

How this item benefits the environment

Restoring mature and veteran fruit trees with undisturbed standing and fallen deadwood provides a valuable habitat for local wildlife (invertebrates, birds and bats).

Where you can use this item

You can only use this item on neglected fruit trees alongside one of these actions or options:

You can use this item with the approval of your Natural England adviser (or an adviser acting on their behalf).

What you must do to use this item

You must:

  • prune neglected fruit trees, to prolong their life and ensure habitat features are preserved
  • prune apple and pear trees between October and April
  • prune stone fruit trees between May and September
  • place fallen deadwood in both sunny and shady positions

You must not:

  • prune more than one-third of the woody growth in the crown of each tree
  • remove or burn standing, attached and fallen deadwood or pruned wood from the orchard (unless diseased)

You should claim for works only when you have carried out works on each tree.

Evidence you must keep

You must keep and provide with your claim:

  • receipted invoices, consents or permissions connected with the works
  • photographs of the trees have applied for showing the work you have done for this item

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. *[CSHT]: Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier

Questions about TE18?

Ask Tom anything about this subsidy, eligibility, evidence requirements, or compatibility with other actions.