United Kingdom

Your settings

What's your main interest

What kind of advice?

Country

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Introduction to Woodland Creation Funding in England

Login to continue reading

It's free, just sign up on the Free plan to continue.

No credit card required. Just verify your email.

Overview of funding options for woodland creation in England, including EWCO, SFI, WCaG, and private carbon markets.

Updated on the 17th of January 2025

Picture this: a windswept hill transformed into a thriving woodland, birdsong filling the air, and streams running clear where once erosion ruled. Woodland creation isn’t just about planting trees; it’s about shaping a legacy that benefits both your land and the planet. For UK landowners, it’s also an opportunity to turn underperforming plots into assets that work as hard as you do.

Thanks to enhanced government support through schemes like Countryside Stewardship (CS) and the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), funding woodland creation has never been easier—or more rewarding.

Funding to grow your dreams

Let’s not beat around the bush (or hedge). Here’s what the government is offering to get your woodland ambitions off the ground:

Countryside Stewardship Woodland Creation Grants

Think of this as the bread-and-butter option for most landowners. It covers:

  • Tree planting: Up to £6,800 per hectare, ensuring you’re well-equipped with saplings, fencing, and guards.
  • Maintenance support: Annual grants of £200 per hectare for up to 10 years, because young trees need a bit of TLC too.
  • Natural regeneration: Prefer to let nature take its course? Enhanced funding is available for projects that focus on rewilding.
  • Infrastructure grants: From paths to drainage, extra support is there for projects that go the extra mile.


The Woodland Carbon Code
Ever heard of selling air? Well, sort of. By planting woodlands that store carbon, you can earn income through verified carbon credits—a growing market as businesses race to meet net-zero goals.

England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)
This one’s ideal for larger projects, with higher funding levels and bonuses for adding community access or creating habitats for wildlife. Think public paths winding through your trees, or ponds buzzing with dragonflies.
This one’s ideal for larger projects, with higher funding levels and bonuses for adding community access or creating habitats for wildlife. Think public paths winding through your trees, or ponds buzzing with dragonflies.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
Aimed at restoring habitats and offsetting development impacts, BNG funding supports woodland projects that prioritise ecological enhancement. It’s a win-win for landowners looking to increase biodiversity while tapping into financial opportunities.


Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
For the innovators out there: agroforestry grants encourage combining trees with crops or livestock. Grants of up to £6,800 per hectare are available for agroforestry projects, with additional annual maintenance payments to ensure long-term success. Tree planting can boost productivity, and there’s also funding for hedgerow creation at £22 per metre, with £4.40 per metre for restoration. These additions can increase biodiversity and strengthen field boundaries.

How to plant the idea

Creating a woodland is part dream, part pragmatism. Start with a walk around your land. The fields that flood every spring? Perfect for riparian planting. That awkward patch the tractor can’t quite navigate? Why not give it over to trees? Your land is whispering its potential—are you ready to listen?

Then, think about your goals. Are you planting for wildlife, timber, or even future carbon credits? Maybe it’s all three. Knowing your priorities will help you decide on species and layout. Oak, birch, and hazel are biodiversity champions, while fast-growers like poplar deliver quick returns for timber.

And don’t forget the paperwork. Yes, it’s a chore, but it’s also your chance to showcase your vision. A solid application isn’t just about maps and planting densities; it’s a story about how your woodland will serve your farm, your family, and your future.

Why it’s more than just planting trees

Woodland creation isn’t just an environmental checkbox; it’s a chance to reimagine your land’s potential. Imagine a corner of your farm becoming a haven for pollinators, or a neglected slope evolving into a timber resource for decades to come. With 2025’s updates to funding schemes, this isn’t just achievable—it’s practical.

Ready to start planting your legacy? At AskGrant, we don’t just guide you through the funding maze; we help you shape a plan that reflects your vision. Let’s turn your land into something extraordinary. Reach out today, and let’s plant something worth talking about for generations.

Menu

Overview of funding options for woodland creation in England, including EWCO, SFI, WCaG, and private carbon markets.

Updated on the 17th of January 2025

Picture this: a windswept hill transformed into a thriving woodland, birdsong filling the air, and streams running clear where once erosion ruled. Woodland creation isn’t just about planting trees; it’s about shaping a legacy that benefits both your land and the planet. For UK landowners, it’s also an opportunity to turn underperforming plots into assets that work as hard as you do.

Thanks to enhanced government support through schemes like Countryside Stewardship (CS) and the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), funding woodland creation has never been easier—or more rewarding.

Funding to grow your dreams

Let’s not beat around the bush (or hedge). Here’s what the government is offering to get your woodland ambitions off the ground:

Countryside Stewardship Woodland Creation Grants

Think of this as the bread-and-butter option for most landowners. It covers:

  • Tree planting: Up to £6,800 per hectare, ensuring you’re well-equipped with saplings, fencing, and guards.
  • Maintenance support: Annual grants of £200 per hectare for up to 10 years, because young trees need a bit of TLC too.
  • Natural regeneration: Prefer to let nature take its course? Enhanced funding is available for projects that focus on rewilding.
  • Infrastructure grants: From paths to drainage, extra support is there for projects that go the extra mile.


The Woodland Carbon Code
Ever heard of selling air? Well, sort of. By planting woodlands that store carbon, you can earn income through verified carbon credits—a growing market as businesses race to meet net-zero goals.

England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)
This one’s ideal for larger projects, with higher funding levels and bonuses for adding community access or creating habitats for wildlife. Think public paths winding through your trees, or ponds buzzing with dragonflies.
This one’s ideal for larger projects, with higher funding levels and bonuses for adding community access or creating habitats for wildlife. Think public paths winding through your trees, or ponds buzzing with dragonflies.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
Aimed at restoring habitats and offsetting development impacts, BNG funding supports woodland projects that prioritise ecological enhancement. It’s a win-win for landowners looking to increase biodiversity while tapping into financial opportunities.


Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
For the innovators out there: agroforestry grants encourage combining trees with crops or livestock. Grants of up to £6,800 per hectare are available for agroforestry projects, with additional annual maintenance payments to ensure long-term success. Tree planting can boost productivity, and there’s also funding for hedgerow creation at £22 per metre, with £4.40 per metre for restoration. These additions can increase biodiversity and strengthen field boundaries.

How to plant the idea

Creating a woodland is part dream, part pragmatism. Start with a walk around your land. The fields that flood every spring? Perfect for riparian planting. That awkward patch the tractor can’t quite navigate? Why not give it over to trees? Your land is whispering its potential—are you ready to listen?

Then, think about your goals. Are you planting for wildlife, timber, or even future carbon credits? Maybe it’s all three. Knowing your priorities will help you decide on species and layout. Oak, birch, and hazel are biodiversity champions, while fast-growers like poplar deliver quick returns for timber.

And don’t forget the paperwork. Yes, it’s a chore, but it’s also your chance to showcase your vision. A solid application isn’t just about maps and planting densities; it’s a story about how your woodland will serve your farm, your family, and your future.

Why it’s more than just planting trees

Woodland creation isn’t just an environmental checkbox; it’s a chance to reimagine your land’s potential. Imagine a corner of your farm becoming a haven for pollinators, or a neglected slope evolving into a timber resource for decades to come. With 2025’s updates to funding schemes, this isn’t just achievable—it’s practical.

Ready to start planting your legacy? At AskGrant, we don’t just guide you through the funding maze; we help you shape a plan that reflects your vision. Let’s turn your land into something extraordinary. Reach out today, and let’s plant something worth talking about for generations.