Maximising Support through Countryside Stewardship Tree Grants

Countryside Stewardship is a cornerstone of environmental funding in England, offering a variety of grants to support tree planting, maintenance, and integration within farm landscapes. The scheme is designed to promote biodiversity, enhance landscape character, and encourage sustainable land management. By strategically combining Countryside Stewardship options with other funding schemes like the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) and the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), landowners can maximise financial support for tree projects and create lasting environmental benefits.

This article explores the Countryside Stewardship grants available for tree planting and maintenance, explains how to integrate trees into farm management, and discusses how to combine Countryside Stewardship with other funding options for comprehensive support.

Overview of Countryside Stewardship Tree Grants

Countryside Stewardship (CS), administered by the Rural Payments Agency and Natural England, provides funding to landowners and farmers for a range of tree-related activities. The scheme is divided into several tiers and grant categories, each tailored to specific environmental goals:

1. Mid Tier: Supports a broad range of activities aimed at improving environmental outcomes, including hedgerow and tree planting, habitat creation, and water management.
2. Higher Tier: Focuses on more complex environmental projects that require ongoing management, such as large-scale woodland creation and restoration.
3. Capital Grants: Offers funding for one-off projects like planting new trees, installing fencing, or implementing biosecurity measures.

Key Countryside Stewardship Grants for Trees

1. Woodland Creation Grant
   Supports the establishment of new woodlands by covering the costs of planting, ground preparation, and tree protection. This grant is ideal for landowners looking to increase tree cover on their land.
   • What it covers:
     • Site preparation, including soil improvement and weed control.
     • Purchase and planting of trees and shrubs.
     • Protective measures like fencing and tree guards.
   • Payment Rate: Up to £6,800 per hectare for planting and establishment, plus additional capital items like fencing or tree shelters.
2. Woodland Management Grant
   Designed for maintaining and enhancing existing woodlands, this grant supports activities such as thinning, coppicing, and pest management to improve woodland structure and biodiversity.
   • What it covers:
     • Woodland thinning and coppicing.
     • Managing invasive species or pests like deer and grey squirrels.
     • Implementing woodland management plans.
   • Payment Rate: Varies depending on the activity and type of woodland.
3. Hedgerows and Boundaries Grant
   Provides funding for planting and maintaining hedgerows and other boundary features that support wildlife and landscape character. This grant is particularly useful for integrating trees into farm boundaries.
   • What it covers:
     • Gapping up existing hedgerows or establishing new ones.
     • Hedgerow laying and coppicing to promote dense growth.
     • Installation of protective fencing.
   • Payment Rate: £11.60 per metre for hedgerow planting; additional payments for traditional management techniques like laying and coppicing.
4. Capital Grants for Boundaries, Trees, and Orchards
   This sub-scheme focuses on smaller-scale projects and offers funding for establishing new trees, creating orchard areas, or restoring traditional boundary features.
   • What it covers:
     • Planting native trees or creating shelterbelts.
     • Restoring degraded hedgerows or stone walls.
     • Installing tree guards, fencing, or access points.
   • Payment Rate: Varies depending on the specific activity, with funding covering up to 100% of eligible costs.

Integrating Trees into Farm Management through Countryside Stewardship

Integrating trees into existing farm landscapes offers numerous benefits, from improving soil health and water management to providing shelter for livestock and enhancing biodiversity. Countryside Stewardship grants support a range of tree-related activities that can be seamlessly incorporated into traditional farm management practices.

Agroforestry Options

Agroforestry involves integrating trees into agricultural systems to provide both environmental and economic benefits. Countryside Stewardship offers specific options for establishing trees on agricultural land:

• Silvo-pastoral Systems: Combining trees and livestock grazing to provide shade, reduce heat stress in animals, and improve pasture quality.
• Silvo-arable Systems: Planting rows of trees within arable fields to prevent soil erosion, reduce wind damage, and enhance crop resilience.

Shelterbelts and Riparian Planting

Creating shelterbelts or riparian (riverbank) woodlands helps protect crops and livestock from harsh weather conditions, reduce runoff, and stabilise soil along watercourses.

• Shelterbelt Grants: Support planting linear woodlands that act as windbreaks or provide shade and shelter for livestock.
• Riparian Planting Grants: Fund the establishment of riparian woodlands to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and create wildlife corridors.

Combining Countryside Stewardship with Other Schemes

Countryside Stewardship can be effectively combined with other environmental funding schemes like the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) and the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) to increase total support and achieve more comprehensive environmental benefits.

Combining Countryside Stewardship with EWCO

EWCO offers higher payments for woodland creation compared to Countryside Stewardship and includes additional contributions for public benefits like biodiversity enhancement and climate resilience. By integrating Countryside Stewardship with EWCO:

• Example: A landowner could use EWCO to fund large-scale woodland creation and then apply for Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants to install fencing, access points, or carry out specific maintenance activities.

Combining Countryside Stewardship with SFI

The SFI provides annual payments for sustainable farming practices, including tree and hedgerow management. Combining Countryside Stewardship with SFI allows landowners to receive ongoing support for managing existing hedgerows and integrating new trees into farm landscapes.

• Example: A farmer could use Countryside Stewardship grants for hedgerow planting and then apply for SFI payments to support the long-term management and maintenance of those hedgerows.

Maximising Financial Support and Environmental Impact

By strategically combining different elements of Countryside Stewardship and other schemes, landowners can maximise the financial support available for their tree projects while delivering multiple environmental benefits.

• Create Comprehensive Management Plans: Develop detailed plans that outline how different funding sources will be used to support the establishment, maintenance, and integration of trees across the farm.
• Seek Professional Advice: Engage with local Woodland Creation Officers or Countryside Stewardship advisers to ensure your project aligns with the eligibility criteria and funding priorities of each scheme.
• Focus on Long-Term Sustainability: Design tree projects that not only deliver immediate financial support but also contribute to the long-term sustainability and resilience of your land.

Final Thoughts

Countryside Stewardship is a versatile and valuable source of funding for tree-related projects in England, offering options for everything from planting new woodlands to maintaining existing hedgerows. By understanding the different grant categories, integrating trees into existing farm landscapes, and combining Countryside Stewardship with schemes like EWCO and SFI, landowners can create multi-functional landscapes that support biodiversity, enhance productivity, and contribute to national environmental goals.

Exploring the full potential of Countryside Stewardship can unlock significant financial support and help transform your land into a thriving, resilient, and ecologically diverse landscape.

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