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Thinking of planting trees in England? This article explains what landowners need to check first—like protected sites, flood zones, and grant rules—before starting a woodland project.
Planting trees sounds simple enough—and in principle, it is. You’ve got the land, a vision for the future, maybe even an idea for funding. But here in England, turning that vision into a woodland isn’t always as straightforward as it seems.
Whether you're doing it for biodiversity, carbon, timber, or legacy, there are a few key checks you’ll want to make before you dig a single hole.
Because while you absolutely can plant trees on most land, not all land is suitable—and in some cases, you’ll need permission first.
In England, private landowners are generally free to plant trees—but that freedom comes with conditions. The suitability of your land depends on things like:
In some cases, planting may require consent from the Forestry Commission or trigger an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)—particularly for schemes over 2 hectares or in sensitive areas.
Even without formal barriers, tree planting might not always be the best use of the land—especially if it holds existing environmental or agricultural value that would be lost in the process.
If you're looking to plant trees with the support of public funding—like the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)—then additional checks apply. These grants come with rules about where you can plant, what species are suitable, and how the woodland must be managed over time.
You’ll need to:
EWCO, for example, will not support planting over existing species-rich grassland, scheduled archaeological sites, or land that conflicts with local nature priorities.
Before planting, check whether your land has:
Missing these at the start could lead to applications being rejected—or worse, having to undo the planting later.
Much of it is available online through tools like MAGIC Map, the Land Information Search tool, and your local planning authority’s online records.
But the data can be scattered—and interpreting it correctly is often the hard part. That’s where many landowners hit a wall.
If you’re unsure whether your land is suitable for tree planting—or just want to avoid wasting time on schemes that won’t fit—AskGrant’s Feasibility Reports can help.
We combine mapping, constraints checks, and scheme insights into one clear report—so you can plant with confidence, backed by facts. Whether you're applying for EWCO or simply creating woodland on your own terms, we help you plan the right project for the right land.
Because planting trees in England should be a legacy you’re proud of—not a project stuck in red tape.
Thinking of planting trees in England? This article explains what landowners need to check first—like protected sites, flood zones, and grant rules—before starting a woodland project.
Planting trees sounds simple enough—and in principle, it is. You’ve got the land, a vision for the future, maybe even an idea for funding. But here in England, turning that vision into a woodland isn’t always as straightforward as it seems.
Whether you're doing it for biodiversity, carbon, timber, or legacy, there are a few key checks you’ll want to make before you dig a single hole.
Because while you absolutely can plant trees on most land, not all land is suitable—and in some cases, you’ll need permission first.
In England, private landowners are generally free to plant trees—but that freedom comes with conditions. The suitability of your land depends on things like:
In some cases, planting may require consent from the Forestry Commission or trigger an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)—particularly for schemes over 2 hectares or in sensitive areas.
Even without formal barriers, tree planting might not always be the best use of the land—especially if it holds existing environmental or agricultural value that would be lost in the process.
If you're looking to plant trees with the support of public funding—like the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)—then additional checks apply. These grants come with rules about where you can plant, what species are suitable, and how the woodland must be managed over time.
You’ll need to:
EWCO, for example, will not support planting over existing species-rich grassland, scheduled archaeological sites, or land that conflicts with local nature priorities.
Before planting, check whether your land has:
Missing these at the start could lead to applications being rejected—or worse, having to undo the planting later.
Much of it is available online through tools like MAGIC Map, the Land Information Search tool, and your local planning authority’s online records.
But the data can be scattered—and interpreting it correctly is often the hard part. That’s where many landowners hit a wall.
If you’re unsure whether your land is suitable for tree planting—or just want to avoid wasting time on schemes that won’t fit—AskGrant’s Feasibility Reports can help.
We combine mapping, constraints checks, and scheme insights into one clear report—so you can plant with confidence, backed by facts. Whether you're applying for EWCO or simply creating woodland on your own terms, we help you plan the right project for the right land.
Because planting trees in England should be a legacy you’re proud of—not a project stuck in red tape.
