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TE7

TE7: Tree guard (wood post and rail)

Capital Items open_in_new View on RPA Website

£109.64

per guard · one-off

info Summary

This Countryside Stewardship Capital Grant (TE7) provides funding for erecting wood post and rail tree guards to protect newly planted or existing trees from damage by grazing and wild animals, ensuring their establishment and growth. It is compatible with various tree planting and hedgerow management actions.

format_list_bulleted What to do

  • Erect tree guards at least 2 metres high which have:
    • 4 treated timber corner posts
    • 5cm diameter top and middle rails
    • A bottom rail if grazing animals are likely to get underneath
    • Posts placed so grazing animals cannot reach within 0.5m of the tree stem
    • A single strand of barbed wire along the top rail
  • Fasten sheep netting (or 3 strands of taut plain or barbed wire) to corner posts between the middle and top rails, and between the middle rail and the bottom rail. Use sheep netting instead of barbed wire between the middle rail and the bottom rail if sheep are likely to graze the parcel.
  • Design the tree guard to allow access for formative pruning, applying mulch and clearing vegetation around the base of each tree.
  • Do not fasten guards to the tree or attach guards so they rub against, constrict or damage the tree in any other way.

checklist How to do and evidence required

View Official Guidelines

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info Additional Information

TE7: Tree guard (wood post and rail)

This item is part of Capital Grants 2025. You must read the 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

£109.64 per guard

How this item benefits the environment

This item protects trees from damage caused by grazing animals and wild animals.

Where you can use this item

You can only use this item on trees in a land parcel if you’re already using the land parcel for:

You can only also use this item when planting trees with these capital items:

You cannot use this item with:

What you must do to use this item

You must erect tree guards at least 2 metres (m) high which have:

  • 4 treated timber corner posts
  • 5 centimetres (cm) diameter top and middle rails
  • a bottom rail if grazing animals are likely to get underneath the guard
  • posts placed so grazing animals cannot reach within 0.5m of the tree stem
  • a single strand of barbed wire along the top rail to prevent animals rubbing against the guard

You must also:

  • fasten sheep netting (or 3 strands of taut plain or barbed wire) to the corner posts between the middle and top rails, and between the middle rail and the bottom rail
  • use sheep netting instead of barbed wire between the middle rail and the bottom rail if sheep are likely to graze the parcel
  • design the tree guard to allow access for formative pruning, applying mulch and clearing vegetation around the base of each tree

You must not:

  • fasten guards to the tree
  • attach guards so they rub against, constrict or damage the tree in any other way

Evidence you must keep

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

You must also keep and provide on request:

  • any consents or permissions connected with the work
  • receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
  • photographs of existing trees to be protected

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. [m]: metres [cm]: centimetres

Questions about TE7?

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