The Woodland Grant Scheme
The Woodland Grant Scheme Grant is funded under Axis 2 of the Rural Development Programme and delivered by DARD.
Woodlands and forests are major components of the landscape and provide essential habitats for much of our wildlife. They make a substantial contribution to meeting our growing demand for wood, and can be an effective means of locking up carbon from the atmosphere. They provide major opportunities for recreation and public access to the countryside, especially near towns and cities, and play an important role in the rural economy, providing jobs and support to rural communities. New forests and woodlands also offer an attractive long-term use of land as an alternative to agriculture.
The Woodland Grant Scheme aims to expand the amount of tree cover in Northern Ireland by encouraging the creation of new woodland in order to:
- Increase the production of wood;
- Improve the landscape;
- Improve woodland biodiversity and offer opportunities for recreation and sport; and
- Encourage the sustainable management of forests and woodlands.
Who can apply?
The Woodland Grant Scheme is open to anyone who wishes to plant on an area of at least 0.2 hectares.
What funding is available?
The rate of payment depends on the species being planted. Establishment Grant rates are as follows:
Species | Total area (hectares) | £per hectare |
Conifers | 0.2 and over | 1600 |
Broadleaves | 0.2 and over | 2400 |
How do I apply?
The opening and closing dates for schemes/programmes supported by the Rural Development Programme are advertised and promoted widely. Please check the
When Can I Apply? section of the website for details of what schemes are open for applications. Depending on the scheme, application forms may be available for download.
What happens next?
When your application is received we will check to make sure that it is eligible and to see that it has been correctly completed and that all relevant documents are included.
If your application:
- passes these initial checks, we will acknowledge it;
- is incomplete, we will send it back highlighting the missing information and we will only process it once all of the required information has been received;
- is ineligible, you will be informed as to what you need to do.
If your application is eligible, a forester will arrange to carry out a site visit in order to confirm suitability. If your application is successful, you will receive a letter of approval, an annotated map and a claim form.
Frequently asked questions
When is the work carried out, and when do I receive payment?
It is up to you as the applicant to have the trees planted according to the forester’s prescription. Once planting is complete, you will submit a claim form, and Forest Service will arrange an inspection before authorising payment. Grants are paid in two instalments – 70% after planting, and the remaining 30% after five years.
I would like to create woodland for public use, is this allowed?
Yes. A Community Woodland Supplement is also available under the Woodland Grant Scheme to encourage people to create new woodlands in locations which have demonstrable potential to be used for informal public recreation. The rate of supplement is £1000/ha for both conifers and broadleaves, and this is paid in addition to the establishment grant.
Can I plant Christmas trees?
No. Christmas trees will not be grant aided. However, interplanting with Christmas trees will not debar an otherwise acceptable area from grant aid, provided that their presence does not affect the growth of the main woodland species and does not conflict with the aims of the scheme.
