Countryside Stewardship Schemes for Woodland Creation

Updated on the 17th of January 2025

If you’ve ever felt that managing your land could be more profitable or more sustainable, the Countryside Stewardship schemes are here to help—and so are we. Woodland creation isn’t just about planting trees for the sake of it; it’s about tapping into government support to transform underused land into an asset that works for you.

These grants can help fund projects that bring environmental benefits while providing long-term economic returns. But navigating the maze of applications, eligibility rules, and project requirements can feel like tackling a particularly stubborn bramble hedge. That’s where AskGrant comes in.

Grants under Countryside Stewardship for Woodland Creation

The Countryside Stewardship scheme offers a suite of grants tailored to woodland and tree-related projects. Here’s what’s available:

Woodland Creation Grant

• Provides up to £6,800 per hectare for tree planting, covering saplings, fencing, and site preparation.
• Offers additional funding for natural regeneration projects where woodlands grow without active planting.

Woodland Management Plan Grant

• Helps you develop a detailed plan to manage your woodland sustainably, unlocking further funding opportunities.

Hedgerow and Boundary Grants

• Supports the creation and restoration of hedgerows, with £22 per metre for new planting and £4.40 per metre for restoration.
• Includes funding for protective fencing to ensure your hedgerow investment is secure.

Agroforestry Support

• Encourages integration of trees into farming with grants of up to £6,800 per hectare, plus annual maintenance payments to keep your project thriving.

Woodland Improvement Grant

• Funds enhancements to existing woodlands, from pest management to improving public access or biodiversity features.

Riparian and Watercourse Planting

• Grants are available for planting trees along watercourses to reduce erosion, filter runoff, and improve water quality.
• Includes funding for riparian buffers and natural flood management projects, such as planting to slow water flow and create wildlife corridors.
• Supports wet woodland creation, a vital habitat for birds and insects, often found in flood-prone areas.

Organic Orchards

• Funding supports the establishment of organic orchards, blending biodiversity benefits with high-value fruit production.
• Grants cover planting costs, tree guards, and annual maintenance payments to ensure long-term success.

Protection of In-Field Trees on Arable Land

• Provides grants to safeguard individual trees within arable fields, ensuring these iconic landscape features are protected for future generations.
• Funding covers fencing or tree guards to shield trees from livestock or machinery damage.

How AskGrant simplifies the process

Navigating grants can feel like walking through a dense forest without a map. That’s why AskGrant exists: to guide you step by step, ensuring you maximise your funding opportunities and create a project that meets both your needs and government requirements.

• We help identify the right grants for your goals, whether it’s woodland creation, agroforestry, or hedgerow restoration.
• We simplify the application process, making sure your maps, plans, and evidence align perfectly with the scheme’s priorities.
• We provide ongoing support, so you’re not left wondering how to manage your project after funding is secured.

Why act now?

The 2025 updates to Countryside Stewardship have made funding more generous and accessible, but these opportunities don’t wait forever. Whether you’re a farmer looking to diversify your income, a landowner wanting to improve biodiversity, or someone with an eye on carbon credits, the time to act is now.

At AskGrant, we don’t just point you to the right grants—we work with you to craft a compelling application and provide the tools you need to succeed. Let’s turn the potential of your land into a thriving reality.

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