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WD1

Woodland creation - maintenance payments

Countryside Stewardship open_in_new View on RPA Website

£400.00

ha · year

format_list_bulleted What to do

  • Keep all newly planted trees free from competing vegetation for 15 years by using approved herbicides, mulch, or a clearing saw, hook or scythe
  • Replace any trees that die
  • Maintain fences, tree shelters or spiral guards
  • Maintain areas of open space
  • Remove and dispose of tree guards in an appropriate manner (for example recycle) when no longer required and by year 15 in all cases

schedule When to do

checklist How to do and evidence required

  • Photographs showing the level of maintenance in years 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 15
  • Any bank statements, receipted invoices, consents or permissions connected with the work
  • Records of all management activity on the option area for each parcel

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info Additional Information

WD1: Woodland creation - maintenance payments - GOV.UK

How much will be paid

£400 per hectare (ha)

How long this option lasts

This option lasts for 15 years, instead of the standard 5 years for the grant scheme.

Where to use this option

Available after the works under a Woodland Creation Grant agreement are complete. Agreement holders will be invited to apply for the multi-annual element of woodland creation.

Where this option cannot be used

On land owned by public authorities; this includes land owned by the state, the Crown, county councils, district councils, and local authorities.

How this option will benefit the environment

It will help create woodland that:

  • supports wildlife, by linking habitats together or providing a protective buffer between them
  • reduces the risk of floods, improves water quality and prevents soil erosion
  • is resilient and can adapt to climate change
  • enhances the landscape

Requirements

Agreement holders are likely to need to:

  • keep all newly planted trees free from competing vegetation for 15 years by using approved herbicides, mulch, or a clearing saw, hook or scythe
  • replace any trees that die
  • maintain fences, tree shelters or spiral guards
  • maintain areas of open space
  • remove and dispose of tree guards in an appropriate manner (for example recycle) when no longer required and by year 15 in all cases

The agreement will set out what must not be done. It is likely successful applicants will not be allowed to:

  • use any herbicides if trees are being planted on land next to a watercourse

Keeping records

Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them on request:

  • photographs showing the level of maintenance in years 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 15
  • any bank statements, receipted invoices, consents or permissions connected with the work
  • records of all management activity on the option area for each parcel

Agreement holders will need to carry out maintenance so that the woodland is fully established by year 15.

Further information

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Higher Tier including how to apply.

You can find Guidance on woodland grant schemes and BPS in Forestry Commission Operations Note 042 on GOV.UK.

Published 2 April 2015 Last updated 18 March 2024 + show all updates

  1. 18 March 2024

Payment rate increased to £400 per hectare.

  1. 30 October 2023

Update references from 10 years to 15 years.

  1. 16 May 2023

'Where to use this option' section updated to say agreement holders will be invited to apply for the multi-annual element of woodland creation.

  1. 8 February 2022

New payment rate from 1 January 2022.

  1. 8 March 2019

Updated keeping records section for evidence required with claim.

  1. 29 March 2016

Updated information for applications in 2016.

  1. 2 April 2015

First published.