Quick Guide to Woodland Creation Grants

The Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) supports the creation of new woodland that will provide economic, environmental and social benefits.

Payment rates for five of the nine grant support options for woodland creation are shown in the table below.  Higher rates of payment are available for eligible schemes within the following locations:

• Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN);
• Cairngorms National Park Woodland Expansion Target Area;
• Highland Native Woodland Target Area;
• Woodlands for Water Target Areas;
• Preferred and potential areas of local authority Forest and Woodland Strategies.

Woodland Creation option	Total Payment rate per hectare
	For intial planting and annual maintenance for 5 years
	Standard Areas	Target Areas
Conifer*	£2960	£3330
Diverse Conifer *	£3840	£4320
Native Scots Pine	£3200	£3600
Native Broadleaves	£3200	£3600
Native Broadleaves in Northern and Western Isles	£6720	N/A

*If ploughing is used, reduced payment rates for initial planting apply to reflect the cost saving from this cultivation method.

Central Scotland Green Network additional capital payment contribution

Within the CSGN Contribution Area additional funding is available to Woodland Creation schemes.

Core Area	£2500/ha
Outer Core Area	£1500/ha
Fringe Area	Fringe Area

CSGN contribution capped at 40ha in Core Area and Fringe Area, and at 65ha in Outer Core Area.

Capital Items Payment Rates

In addition to the initial planting grant, there is support for capital items that may be required to successfully establish new woodland.

Deer fencing	£7.60/m
Stock fencing	£4.40/m
Rabbit-proofing of fence	£1.60/m
Tree shelters (1.2 to 1.8m)	£2.00 each
Gorse removal	£720/net ha
Bracken control	£225/ha

If you need more advice on farm woodlands or any other topic, the Farm Advisory Service has a range of support and help available.

Advice Line

For free telephone advice on a wide variety of topics including cross-compliance, water framework directive requirements, climate change and other technical issues call us on 0300 323 0161 or email advice@fas.scot.  The advice helpline operates between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday.

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This article has been published in the Autumn2020 edition of the Farm Woodland News.  Download a copy to access all articles.  Subscribe to receive newly published editions via email by using the form here.