If you’re a farmer or landowner looking to plant hedgerows, trees, or woodlands, there’s a wealth of grant funding across the UK to help. Each country – England, Scotland, and Wales – has its own schemes, but all aim to support sustainable farming, wildlife habitat creation, and climate resilience.

In this guide, we break down the major grant options available as of 2026, including what’s on offer, who’s eligible, how to apply, and key differences between regions. We’ll keep things clear and farmer-friendly, with simple explanations (no complicated jargon) and handy tips so you can confidently navigate the application process. Let’s dig in!

England – Countryside Stewardship and Woodland Grants

In England, most planting grants fall under Countryside Stewardship (CS) or newer forestry initiatives. These schemes reward farmers for creating and managing hedges, trees, and woodlands that benefit wildlife and the environment. Here’s an overview of the main options:

Hedgerow Planting and Management (Countryside Stewardship)

England’s Countryside Stewardship offers “Boundaries, Trees and Orchards” capital grants to plant and improve hedgerows. Four key grant options (by code) cover hedgerow work:

• BN11 – Planting New Hedges: Pays £22.97 per metre of new hedgerow planted. This helps cover the cost of plants, planting, and basic establishment. BN11 is for creating hedges where none existed (or where a historic hedge is being reinstated). You must have control of both sides of the hedge line (e.g. not just along a neighbour’s field). The hedge must be planted in the dormant season (1 Nov–31 Mar) with native species, at least 6 plants per metre in a double-staggered row. Common requirements include using 2-year-old locally native plants, no more than 70% of any one species, and planting with a double row (rows ~40 cm apart) to form a thick hedge. You’ll also need to fence out livestock at least 1.2 m away during establishment. BN11 cannot be used for small gaps (<20 m) in existing hedges – it’s meant for entirely new hedge lines (or gaps longer than 20 m).

• BN7 – Hedgerow Gapping-Up: Pays £17.22 per metre for filling gaps in existing hedges up to 20 m long. Use BN7 for patching missing sections so your hedge becomes a continuous boundary again. The planting specs are similar to BN11 (native species, 6 plants/m in double rows). Only gaps longer than 20 m are treated as “new hedge” (BN11); shorter gaps should use BN7. As with BN11, work must be done in winter dormancy (Nov–Mar), and you should replace any failed plants the next season.

• BN5 – Hedgerow Laying: Pays £13.52 per metre of hedge laid. Hedgelaying rejuvenates overgrown hedges by partially cutting and bending stems along the hedge line to fill gaps and spur new growth. This grant helps cover labour/time for traditional laying between September and March. You must lay the hedge in the local style and secure the pleachers (cut stems) with stakes/binders. All cut material should be cleared away, and the hedge protected from livestock until regrowth is underway. BN5 is great for older hedges that have grown tall/thin at the base – laying them creates a dense, stock-proof hedge again. (There are also supplements like BN9 or BN10 that can provide extra funds if a hedge needs heavy prep work or top binding in addition to laying.)

• BN6 – Hedgerow Coppicing: Pays £5.33 per metre for coppicing hedgerows. Coppicing means cutting the hedge shrubs down to near ground level to stimulate vigorous regrowth from the base. It’s often used for very overgrown or leggy hedges (often done on a cycle for hedge rejuvenation). Like laying, it’s done in winter dormancy (Oct–Mar). All stems are cut (≤10 cm from the ground) on each coppiced section to encourage an even flush of new shoots. You must protect the stools (stumps) from browsing and allow the hedge to regrow and fill in. Coppicing has a lower payment rate because it’s typically less labour-intensive than laying, but it can be combined with BN7/BN11 if replanting gaps is needed after cutting.

Eligibility & How to Apply (England hedgerows)

All these hedgerow grants are capital items under Countryside Stewardship. They’re available to farmers and land managers in England with suitable land (generally agricultural land, including field boundaries). You’ll apply through the Rural Payments service (under a CS Mid-Tier or Capital Grant application). Applications can usually be made year-round, but funding is limited – DEFRA allocated £150 million in 2025 and had to pause new applications due to high demand. From 2025 onward, one application per farm business per year is allowed (with a £35k cap for the “Boundaries, Trees and Orchards” items per application). Practically, this means you might bundle several hedgerow lengths and related items into one application. It’s a competitive process in that funding is first-come, first-served until the pot is allocated, but most standard hedgerow proposals that meet the rules should get approved if funds are available.

When to plant and claim

Once you have an agreement, you’ll typically plant in the winter season (grant agreements will specify that hedging must be done between November and March when plants are dormant). You’ll need to keep evidence – e.g. maps of where you planted (especially if replanting historic hedge lines) and photographs after completion. After planting and any required follow-up (like a year of establishment maintenance), you submit a claim to the Rural Payments Agency (with photos, receipts for plants/guards, etc.) to get paid.

Tip

Hedgerow grants in England can be combined with other schemes. For example, you could plant a new hedge with BN11 and simultaneously be in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for hedgerow management on your other hedge lengths – there’s no conflict as long as you’re not double-funding the same length of hedge. In fact, the CS capital grants are designed to complement SFI and other stewardship actions. Also, if significant prep work is needed (like removing old fence or bank restoration), there are supplemental grants (BN8, BN9, BN10, etc.) that can be added onto a BN5/BN6/BN7 application. Make sure to mention these in your application if applicable.

Tree Planting and Woodland Creation (England)

For planting larger numbers of trees or creating woodlands, England’s flagship offer is the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO), run by the Forestry Commission. This is a generous scheme aimed at meeting national tree planting targets and is very relevant for farmers diversifying into forestry or agroforestry. Key features of EWCO:

• Funding per hectare: EWCO provides up to £10,200 per hectare towards the costs of planting a new woodland. This is a capital grant that covers standard planting materials and operations (trees, guards, ground prep, etc.). It’s not paid as a strict per-tree rate, but effectively it assumes a typical new woodland planting density (which is around 1,100–1,600 trees/ha for most woodlands). On top of this, you can get additional contributions (up to £12,700 extra per hectare) for woodlands that deliver public benefits like enhancing nature recovery networks, water quality, flood prevention or social/public access benefits. These add-ons encourage you to design your woodland in ways that, for example, create new habitat for wildlife or buffer watercourses (the scheme guidance lists specific criteria for extra funding tiers).

• Annual maintenance payments: To ensure young woodlands get established, EWCO pays £400/ha per year for 15 years for maintenance. This is a big help for tasks like replacing failed trees, weeding, and managing tree protection. It means over 15 years, you could receive £6,000/ha just in maintenance funding (on top of the up-front capital grant). In return, you’re expected to manage the new woodland in line with good practice (following the UK Forestry Standard) – e.g. controlling weeds, protecting against pests, and not just planting and forgetting.

  
  

• Flexibility and timing: Unlike some farm grants that have narrow windows, EWCO is open year-round for applications. You can apply at any time, though the review process takes a few months. To plant in the next winter season, you should apply by ~31 May of that year. Applications after autumn (e.g. after October) likely won’t get approved in time to plant that winter, so they’d be aiming for the following season. The application involves mapping out the proposed woodland, getting any necessary consents (like Environmental Impact Assessment screening if >2 ha, or planning permission if planting will affect public rights of way, etc.), and ensuring your design meets the scheme rules (like appropriate species mix, stocking density, and no planting on protected habitats). The Forestry Commission provides guidance and even expert advisors to help you plan – they want your woodland to succeed and be in the right place.

• Who can apply: EWCO is open to farmers, landowners, and land managers in England with land suitable for woodland. The land must not be existing woodland (it’s for new woodland creation) and generally should be low-risk in terms of not harming other environmental assets (they have maps of “low sensitivity” areas which even get a bonus £1,100/ha if your whole site is in a preferred area for woodland). You do not need to be a full-time forester – many farmers use EWCO to plant shelterbelts, woodlots, or to diversify land use. Just be prepared that any EWCO woodland needs to be maintained as woodland in the long term (there’s an expectation it remains as forest for at least 30+ years, aligned with carbon sequestration goals, etc.).

• Combining with other funding: You can’t get other government funds for the same trees, but you can stack EWCO with private financing. In fact, EWCO is designed to work alongside the Woodland Carbon Code – you can register your new woodland to generate certified carbon units to sell to businesses, providing an extra income stream. The grant is adjusted so you’re not double-paid for the carbon sequestered, but you still can benefit. Also, if your woodland plan includes public access or other features, you might combine EWCO with local initiatives (like community tree planting programmes) – just coordinate to avoid double funding. Notably, EWCO cannot be used for commercial fruit orchards or Christmas tree plantations (those are excluded uses) – it’s for genuine woodland.

Other England Tree Grants

Aside from EWCO, smaller-scale tree planting on farms can also be funded through Countryside Stewardship capital items. For instance, item TE4 – “Supply and Plant a Tree” offers £1.72 per tree planted, which can be used for planting trees in hedgerows, parkland, or small copses. Under CS, if you were creating a woodland under 5 ha, you might use a combination of TE4 (for the trees) plus other items for fencing, guards, etc. CS used to offer a Woodland Creation and Maintenance grant similar to EWCO (with £200/ha for 10 years maintenance) – this has largely been superseded by EWCO’s more generous terms, but the principle is the same. Also, keep an eye out for specialised funds: e.g. the Urban Tree Challenge Fund (if you have land in urban fringes), or HS2 Woodland Fund (for planting woods in certain areas of England) – those are more niche, but worth noting if applicable to your situation.

England Application Pointers

To apply for these English schemes, you’ll do so via the Rural Payments Agency (likely through the online portal). For EWCO, you actually fill out a dedicated application form with the Forestry Commission (downloadable from GOV.UK) and work with their staff. The application checklist usually includes: a map of the planting site, a design plan (tree species, spacing, any open spaces, etc.), and evidence of consultation for things like protected species or historic features on site. It sounds a lot, but many farmers have successfully navigated it – and you can get advice from Forestry Commission woodland officers for free. Once your application is in, expect a few months for approval. After planting, you claim the grant (for EWCO, payments are often split – for example, 70% after planting completion and 30% after verification). Then you’ll get annual maintenance payments automatically as long as you uphold the agreement (e.g. submitting any required annual reports or claim forms). The bottom line is that in England, there is significant support if you want to plant or restore hedges and woodlands – it just requires some upfront planning and paperwork, which is well worth it for the funding received.

(England summary: Countryside Stewardship hedgerow grants can pay ~£13–£23 per metre for laying, gapping or planting hedges, and the England Woodland Creation Offer can fund over £10k/ha plus ongoing payments for creating new woods. Most schemes are over-subscribed, so apply early and ensure your proposals meet the guidelines. Now, let’s see how Scotland compares…)

Scotland – Agri-Environment and Forestry Grants

Scotland has its own robust set of schemes to encourage tree planting and habitat creation, tailored to Scottish priorities. The two main avenues are the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) – which includes options for hedgerows and tree planting on farms – and the Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) for larger-scale woodland creation and management. Here’s what Scottish farmers need to know:

Hedgerow Creation and Management (Scotland AECS)

Under the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme, Scottish farmers can get support both to manage existing hedges and to plant new hedgerows. The specific option for new planting is called “Creation of Hedgerows”. Unlike England’s one-off payments, the Scottish approach combines capital and annual payments over a multi-year contract:

• Planting a new hedge (capital grant): You can claim £5.40 per metre of hedge planted. This is a one-time payment for the physical planting work – buying the hawthorn/blackthorn (or other native species) plants, planting them, etc. It’s intended to cover the upfront cost of establishing a hedge.

• Annual maintenance payment: In addition, the scheme pays £1.20 per metre per year for 5 years for hedgerow creation. So that’s £6.00 over five years in maintenance funding for each metre of hedge. This helps with ongoing tasks like weeding, beating up (replacing failed plants), and not cutting the hedge too soon. Essentially, Scotland’s AECS rewards you for keeping that new hedge thriving through its establishment phase (contrast with England’s one-off approach). Example: If you planted 500 m of new hedge, you’d get £5.40 × 500 = £2,700 as a capital payment, plus £1.20 × 500 = £600 each year for five years (total £3,000 maintenance over 5 years). Combined, about £11.40 per metre in support overall, which is comparable with the English grant when fully tallied, though spread over time.

• Other supported items: The hedgerow option in Scotland is usually done in combination with related capital items: for instance, fencing (to protect the new hedge from livestock) can be funded, as well as rabbit guards or vole guards for the young plants. If you are restoring a hedge, coppicing grants are available too. The idea is to provide a package – you pick what you need from the menu. Note that fence funding is important; in Scotland, any new hedge must be protected from grazing (you’re required to exclude livestock from the hedge), and the scheme doesn’t automatically include fence costs in the £5.40/m – but you can claim a stock fence grant separately (and things like rabbit-proof mesh as needed).

• Eligibility and specs: To qualify, your new hedge has to be in an approved target area (Scotland targets hedge planting to certain regions where it’s a priority – you can check a map tool to see if your farm is eligible). You also need to have access to both sides of where the hedge will go (so you can cut and manage it fully) – planting a hedge tight against a stone dyke or a neighbour’s boundary might not be eligible unless there’s agreement on joint management. And importantly, you must follow the scheme’s planting requirements: at least 6 plants per metre in a double row, using at least 3 different native shrub species in the mix. (Hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, holly, dog rose, etc., are typical – pure beech hedges aren’t funded unless special permission is given, since they prefer biodiversity-friendly mixes). These requirements are very much in line with best practice and similar to England’s – essentially a dense, species-rich hedge. You also have to plant the hedge in year 1 of your AECS contract (no procrastinating – the grant expects you to get the hedge in the ground promptly). After planting, you’re committing to manage that hedge for at least 5 years: this includes not trimming it every year (the rule is you can’t cut the same hedge annually; typically you’d cut on a 2-3 year rotation to allow flowers/berries), only trimming between 1 Dec and end Feb (to avoid bird nesting season), keeping a diary of your hedge management actions, and of course keeping stock out and ensuring the hedge establishes well (weed control as needed).

• Application process: AECS usually opens an application window annually (in early spring; for example, the 2025 round opened in Feb 2025 and closed in June 2025). You’ll need to submit a proposal through Scotland’s rural payments online system. Part of the application for hedges is preparing a simple Hedgerow Management Plan – basically a map of where the hedge will go and how you’ll manage it (including any planned coppicing or gapping of existing hedges, etc.). It sounds formal, but it can be straightforward: mark the hedge line on a map, note the length, species, and your intended cutting rotation. The scheme is competitive (there’s scoring based on how beneficial your project is and if you’re in target areas), but hedgerows have been a priority feature, so well-planned applications have a good chance. Do note that, in some recent rounds, there were limits on how many metres you could apply for (e.g. 500 m cap in older rounds, later raised to 1,000 m, and as of 2025, the cap was lifted entirely to encourage more planting). Always check the latest guidance for any cap or funding limits.

Once you’re approved, your contract will typically run 5 years. You plant the hedge in Year 1 (and submit a capital claim for the £5.40/m payment). Then each year you claim the £1.20/m maintenance (which might be part of your annual SAF – Single Application Form – claim under agri-environment). At the end, you’ve got a healthy hedge and a slight income for maintaining it. After the contract, you’re expected to continue good practice (though payments cease). Note that even after the 5 years, hedgerows in Scotland are protected by law (the Hedgerow Regulations and cross-compliance rules) from being removed, so planting a hedge is a long-term improvement to your farm.

Overall, Scotland’s hedgerow grants put a bit more on management and planning, but they effectively cover all costs of planting (especially when combined with fence/guard grants). The scheme recognises hedges as valuable linear woodlands that connect habitats and protect soil – a win-win for the farm (shelter for livestock, biosecurity, and carbon storage) and the environment. Farmers often remark that once established, a well-kept hedge is relatively low maintenance and hugely beneficial for stock shelter and field drainage control (snow and wind). The grant helps get over the initial hurdle of planting and establishing it.

Woodland Creation (Scotland Forestry Grants)

For larger-scale tree planting in Scotland – anything from small farm woodlands to commercial forests – the main program is the Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS). This scheme, managed by Scottish Forestry, has been the workhorse behind Scotland’s ambitious tree planting targets (the government aims for 18,000 ha of new woodlands per year from 2024/25 onwards). FGS Woodland Creation grants are a bit more complex in structure than England’s EWCO, but they provide substantial funding. Here’s a summary:

• Multiple woodland options: FGS offers nine Woodland Creation options – essentially different categories of woodland types you can plant, each with its own payment rate per hectare. The main options include: Conifer, Diverse Conifer, Broadleaves, Native Scots Pine, Native Upland Birch, Native Broadleaves (general), Native Low-Density Broadleaves, Small or Farm Woodland, and a special higher-rate for Northern & Western Isles Native Broadleaves. This might sound overwhelming, but think of it this way: you choose the option that best fits what you want to plant and where. For example, if you plan a mixed broadleaf woodland in the Lowlands, you’d likely go under “Broadleaves”; if you’re a farm in upland Perthshire wanting to plant a mix including Scots pine, you might choose “Native Scots Pine” or “Native Upland Birch” option depending on composition; a smaller 1-hectare plot on a farm might fit “Small or Farm Woodland.” Each option has specific rules about species mix and planting density (ensuring the trees are suitable for the site and objectives).

  
  

• Payment rates: The grant is paid in a combination of an upfront “initial planting” payment per hectare and then establishment (maintenance) payments either annually for 5 years or as two lump sums (at year 3 and 5). There are also potential top-ups for certain locations (Central Scotland) and higher rates in defined target areas. Let’s break down a common example to illustrate:

  
  

  • For the “Broadleaves” option (standard case, not in a special target area), the initial planting payment is £2,880/ha. Then you can choose annual maintenance of £528/ha for five years, which totals £2,640, making a total of £5,520/ha over the life of the grant. If your woodland is within the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) priority area, there’s an additional £1,500/ha for the first 20 ha, which could boost it to £7,020/ha for those hectares. In certain high-priority areas (like some National Parks or designated expansion zones), targeted higher rates apply – e.g. broadleaves could be £3,240 initial and correspondingly higher maintenance (£594/ha/yr), totalling £6,210/ha (or £7,710 with the extra £1.5k). The idea is higher rates where the government especially wants trees (like parts of the lowlands and sensitive catchments).

  
  

  • For Conifer planting (e.g. Sitka spruce or other conifers for timber), the standard rate is lower: £1,920/ha initial + £208/ha/yr for 5 yrs = £2,960/ha total (conifers are cheaper to establish and grow faster, so the grant is less). In target preferred areas, conifer rates rise a bit (e.g. ~£3,330/ha total with higher maintenance). If you’re in the Central Scotland uplift zone, add £1.5k/ha for the first 20 ha, bringing conifer up to ~£4,460/ha on those hectares.

  
  

  • There’s a “Small or Farm Woodland” option: this is tailored for smaller woodlands (0.25 ha up to a few hectares) with mixed species. It pays about £2,400 initial + £400/yr = £4,400/ha total, plus the £1,500/ha top-up if applicable (so up to £5,900/ha). In target areas, it’s a bit higher (around £4,950/ha plus top-up). This option is great for farms that want to plant a modest woodland block – it’s simpler and explicitly allows a conifer-broadleaf mix (except Sitka-heavy mixes are discouraged).

  
  

  • Native Low-Density is an interesting one: only 400–500 trees/ha (more sparse, wood-pasture style). The grant is lower (about £1,040/ha total standard) since you’re planting fewer trees. This suits creating a sparse, parkland or wood pasture habitat where density is low.

  
  

  • Agroforestry: Scotland also has separate agroforestry categories under FGS (distinct from the main woodland options). There are two schemes for planting widely spaced trees on pasture: one for 300–400 trees/ha and one for 150–200 trees/ha. The payment is £5,400/ha for the higher density (300–400 trees) and £2,790/ha for the lower density (150–200 trees). These are one-off grants to establish silvopasture systems (with hardy tree guards since livestock will still graze the area). Notably, these agroforestry grants were boosted by 50% in 2023, reflecting the interest in mixing trees with grazing. If you’re a farmer thinking of putting some trees out in the pastures for shade or diversifying land use without retiring land from grazing, this is a unique opportunity (the contract runs 20 years for agroforestry plantings, and you continue to farm the land with animals/crops among the trees).

• Maintenance and requirements: The maintenance payments (either annually or two lump sums) are essential to ensure you tend the new woodland for at least 5 years (checking tree survival, replacing as needed, managing weeds, etc.). By the end of year 5, your trees should be well established. You also get separate capital payments for tree protection: deer fencing (very important in much of Scotland) is funded, typically at ~£7–12 per metre depending on spec; stock fencing for smaller woods is around £5–£8/m; gates, shelters, etc., all have standard rates as well. The FGS application will include those as needed (so your total grant includes those extras). Scotland requires new woodlands to meet the UK Forestry Standard, and any project above a certain size needs an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening. Generally, planting under 0.5 ha is free of EIA bureaucracy, 0.5–2 ha is usually fine unless on sensitive sites, and >2 ha you must get formal EIA approval unless it’s clearly low-risk. Most farm woodland projects sail through this, but it’s a step to be aware of.

• Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) integration: One unique advantage in Scotland is that land planted under FGS continues to be eligible for Basic Payment Scheme payments until 2027 (under current rules). That means if you turn a few hectares of field into woodland, you don’t immediately lose your area-based subsidy on those hectares – a nice incentive. The plan is that even when BPS is replaced, there may be a successor income stream for the remaining years of the 20-year woodland commitment. In short, Scotland tries not to penalise you for taking land out of agriculture for tree planting.

  
  

• Applying for FGS: Applications are made via the Scottish Rural Payments portal, and you’ll often work with a forestry agent or consultant (many are registered woodland planners) to draw up a woodland creation plan. In fact, for larger schemes, it’s common (and partially funded by a separate “Woodland Creation Planning Grant”) to hire a professional to ensure your proposal meets all criteria. Don’t let that scare you – for small, simple schemes, many farmers self-apply with some guidance from the local conservancy office of Scottish Forestry. The application asks for details like species percentages, stocking density, fencing map, ground prep methods, etc. Once submitted, it will be scored (there’s a points system – e.g. more points if your woodland contributes to habitat networks or is in a preferred location). Funding is limited by annual budget, but the Scottish Government has been increasing forestry budgets (£53 million for new planting in 2025). If approved, you get a contract and can start planting (usually in the next planting season). Payment for the initial planting is claimed after the work is done and verified (potentially split if it’s a multi-year phased planting). Then you claim the establishment payments at year 3 and 5 or via annual SAF claims, depending on which route you chose.

Key Differences in Scotland

Overall, Scotland’s grants are a bit more tailored to the type of woodland – e.g. native conservation woods vs. commercial conifers have different rates. The maximum funding per hectare (for native woods with all bonuses) can be slightly higher than England’s (e.g. a native shelterwood in Scotland can get ~£7k/ha plus regional boost, which is comparable to EWCO’s base £10k plus extras when you factor in Scotland’s additional premium and continued BPS). Scotland also, through its maintenance structure, basically equals about 5 years of care versus England’s 15 years of maintenance payments – a different approach in timeline. A big plus in Scotland is that you can plant trees and not lose out on your farming subsidies through 2027, and they actively encourage integration like agroforestry. Just remember, any woodland created will need to be managed long term – if you ever want to fell it, you’ll need a felling license and possibly have to replant (as per forestry regulations). But that’s a future consideration – the grants themselves don’t lock you into anything beyond maintaining the woodland for the agreed duration (typically 20 years in FGS).

Scotland also offers grants for woodland improvement and management (WIG and Sustainable Management of Forests options) for existing woodlands, and a Woodland Restoration for replanting after pests/disease, etc. Those are beyond our scope here, but as a farmer, you might use those if you have an old shelterbelt that needs replanting or ash trees killed by dieback (there are grants to replant diseased ash with other species, for instance). Always check the Scottish Forestry or Rural Payments site for the latest offerings each year, as scheme rules do evolve.

(Scotland summary: AECS will pay ~£5.40/m + £6.00/m (over 5 yrs) to help you plant and maintain new hedges, and the Forestry Grant Scheme provides thousands per hectare (roughly £3k–£7k/ha depending on woodland type) for creating new woodlands, with additional support for fencing, maintenance, and even ongoing BPS on afforested land. The process may involve more planning, but there’s plenty of guidance and a strong push to hit tree planting targets, so worthwhile for those looking to integrate forestry into their farm.)

Wales – Woodland Creation Grants and Farming Schemes

Wales is undergoing some transitions in its farm support, but as of 2026, there are dedicated grants for planting trees and hedgerows under the Glastir legacy programs and the evolving National Forest initiative. The main schemes are the Woodland Creation Grant (and its smaller cousin, Small Grants – Woodland Creation), plus periodic environment grants that include hedgerow planting. Here’s how Wales supports farmers in greening their land:

Woodland Creation Grants (Wales)

Wales introduced specific woodland creation schemes a few years ago to boost tree planting as part of its National Forest plan. These have two scales:

• Woodland Creation Grant (WCG): This is for larger projects (generally >0.25 ha and often requiring a Woodland Creation Plan). It runs via an Expression of Interest (EOI) system – farmers apply during an EOI window, then if selected, proceed to a full application with a detailed plan. In 2025, for example, an EOI window opened in March and closed in November, and a new round is set for 2026 (Mar–Nov 2026). The payment rates under WCG were significantly increased in 2023 to make them more attractive. Now, similar to Scotland, Wales has different categories of woodland planting, each with a standard rate per hectare.

  
  

  According to the latest Welsh Government figures (July 2025 update):

  
  

  • Native Woodland (for carbon or shelterwood): up to £6,170/ha for high-density native woodlands. (Native Shelterwood category at 2,500 trees/ha pays £6,170/ha, which is the top rate for native broadleaf-dominated woodland).

  
  

  • Mixed/Conifer Woodlands: e.g. “Enhanced Mixed Woodland” at 2,500 trees/ha pays £5,146/ha, and “Productive woodfuel/shelter” at 2,500/ha is also £5,146/ha. These cater to mixed planting, including some faster-growing species.

  
  

  • Native Biodiversity Woods: For slightly lower density (1,600 trees/ha or 1,100/ha), rates are £4,550/ha and £3,302/ha respectively. These options allow more open space or lower planting density while focusing on native species and wildlife habitat.

  
  

  • Special categories: e.g. Wet Woodland/Streamside (planting in riparian zones) has the same rates as native (£3,302 at 1,100/ha or £4,550 at 1,600/ha). Coastal shelterbelts (often using salt-tolerant species) and Orchards (Fruit/Nut) at ~800 trees/ha are funded at £4,000/ha. There’s also a Red Squirrel habitat category at 1,600 trees/ha for £4,550/ha (targeted at expanding squirrel-friendly conifer/broadleaf mix in certain areas). Agroforestry-style categories aren’t explicitly separate in Wales’ list, but the Fruit/Nut at 800/ha could be akin to a traditional orchard or low-density system at £4k/ha.

• Essentially, you pick the category that fits your plan – the scheme’s standard rates cover the planting and materials. These rates are similar to or slightly above the older Glastir rates and were calibrated after 2023 to ensure full costs are met (as costs for trees and labour rose).

  
  

  • Capital extras: Just like others, the Welsh grant covers fencing and gates as needed: standard stock fencing is funded at £8.32/m and deer fencing at £11.93/m. Standard field gates (metal or wood) have set payments (~£220 for metal, ~£290 for softwood, ~£670 for hardwood). So, if your new woodland needs to be fenced off from livestock, you’d include these in your application.

  
  

  • Maintenance payments: Wales provides long-term maintenance funding for new woodlands, similar to England’s concept but structured a bit differently. For WCG, you get 12 years of annual maintenance payments on a tapering scale: £400/ha in Year 1, £300 in Year 2, £250 in Year 3, then £70/ha each year in Years 4–12. Add those up and it’s £1,580/ha over 12 years. (For agroforestry or very low density categories, they simplify it to £70/ha/year for 12 years flat). This maintenance pay is intended for weed control, replacing dead trees, etc., through the establishment phase. You must commit to that 12-year maintenance period (the expectation is you keep the woodland healthy).

  
  

  • Premium payments (income foregone): On top of that, Wales uniquely offers a “premium” payment of £350/ha per year for 12 years for woodlands created on former agricultural land. This is basically compensation for the income you might lose by converting productive farmland to trees. Not every category qualifies (agroforestry and publicly-owned land are excluded), but for typical farm woodland, this premium does apply. It amounts to an additional £4,200/ha over 12 years. This is a significant incentive – it’s like getting a portion of your old Single Farm Payment for that land for 12 years. It mirrors the approach under the old Glastir scheme, ensuring farmers aren’t out of pocket for doing the right thing environmentally. Combining the planting grant + maintenance + premium, a farmer in Wales could receive well over £10k/ha in support for new native woodlands, very close to (or exceeding) the England offer for comparable projects.

    
    

  • Application and planning: To get a Woodland Creation Grant in Wales, you typically first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the application window. If your EOI is selected (they often rank them based on how well they meet scheme priorities like connecting to existing woodlands, creating larger blocks, etc.), you then work on a Woodland Creation Plan. Wales has a network of Registered Woodland Planners – professionals who can design the scheme for you. In fact, there is a Woodland Creation Planning Scheme that will pay you between £1,000 and £5,000 just to develop a good-quality woodland plan with a planner. This underscores that the government wants well-planned woodlands (considering species choice, site suitability, and biodiversity). For farmers, it means you don’t have to figure it all out alone – you can get expert help largely funded by a grant. The final plan will detail species, planting density, fencing, etc., and must be approved by regulators (Natural Resources Wales, etc.). Once approved, you get the go-ahead to plant and then claim the grants.

• EOI windows for woodland grants have been popping up regularly. In 2024 and 2025, there were multiple windows (the schedule shows Windows 7, 8, 9, etc.) each year. In 2026, as per the current timetable, there’s a Small Grants – Woodland Creation window set for Mar–May 2026, and a WCG main window from Mar–Nov 2026. So opportunities are frequent. Just be mindful of deadlines and have your plans ready.

  
  

• Small Grants – Woodland Creation: This is a simpler, scaled-down version intended for smaller woodlands (the cap has been around 2 hectares for these small grants historically). The payment rates under Small Grants are the same as the main WCG for comparable categories – the difference is mostly in the process. Small Grants use a streamlined online application with standard planting models. For example, you might choose from a list like “Native Biodiversity 1,600/ha” or “Productive Shelterbelt 2,500/ha”, and the system calculates your grant. It’s less flexible (fewer custom design tweaks than a full plan) but much quicker. Small Grants – Woodland Creation windows have been opening multiple times a year; e.g. one in mid-2025 (July–Sept) and another in early 2026. If you’re a farmer wanting to plant just a small block or two of trees (say 0.5 ha here, 0.5 ha there), this scheme is ideal – you won’t necessarily need to hire a planner; you can follow the rules of a template plan. The funding covers the same elements (planting, fences, 12-year maintenance, etc.).

  
  

  One thing to note: whether through Small or main WCG, once you have a contract, you’ll typically plant the trees within the first winter and then be in a 12-year agreement to maintain them (and not remove them). The “National Forest” concept in Wales means they’re encouraging linking these new woodlands to form a contiguous network over time – so if your land is in a priority area for that, you might get extra encouragement or quicker approval.

Hedgerow Planting in Wales

Wales historically supported hedgerows under the Glastir agri-environment scheme. As Glastir is being phased out, interim grants have stepped in. The main opportunity recently has been under the Small Grants – Environment scheme, which periodically has themed rounds. In 2023, there was a dedicated round for “Hedgerow Creation” as part of the environmental small grants. In that round, farmers could apply for funding to plant new hedges (it was capped at 1000 m of hedge per holding, to spread funds around) and likely some standard cost was paid per metre (an example figure often used was around £8-10 per metre of hedge at 80% funding, though the exact rate isn’t published in the snippet we have). Essentially, the government offered to cover a large portion of the costs if you planted a hedge to specified standards (similar to native species and density requirements as elsewhere).

That 2023 Hedgerow Creation grant was quite popular – it helped farmers plug gaps or establish entirely new hedgerows on field boundaries. By 2024, the Small Grants – Environment scheme focused on other themes (like Carbon, Landscape & Pollinators). However, hedgerows remain a priority in Wales for their carbon sequestration and biodiversity value. We expect that in the upcoming Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) – Wales’s new post-Brexit land management scheme slated to start rolling out in 2025/2026 – hedgerow planting and management will feature strongly. SFS is likely to offer payments for maintaining hedgerows in wildlife-friendly ways (like not flailing every year, similar to England’s SFI actions) and for planting new hedges or filling in gaps as part of a farm’s environmental plan. So, while a specific hedgerow grant window may or may not be open every year, Welsh farmers should keep an eye on SFS developments for a more integrated approach to hedges.

In the meantime, if you want to plant hedges in Wales, you could potentially use the Small Grants – Woodland Creation scheme by selecting the “Native Biodiversity (1,100 trees/ha)” option, but applying it in a narrow strip (a hedge is essentially a line of trees/shrubs). However, the woodland scheme isn’t really designed for long linear features and might have minimum width requirements. It’s probably better to wait for a hedgerow-specific funding opportunity or contact the RPW (Rural Payments Wales) helpline to see what’s available. Also, note that under cross-compliance and Good Agricultural Environmental Conditions, maintaining hedgerows is already expected – and planting new ones voluntarily could give you future advantages under SFS.

Wales Application Pointers: All Welsh rural schemes are handled through RPW Online. The “Rural Schemes: application dates” page is very handy – it lists when each scheme’s window is open. As of 2026, you see overlapping windows for Woodland Creation, Small Grants, etc., so planning is key. For woodland grants, if you’re serious, consider using the Woodland Creation Planning Scheme to get a professional plan drawn up – it’s essentially free consulting since it’s grant-aided. Having a good plan will make the main application smoother and ensure your woodland is well-designed (right tree in the right place!). For hedges or smaller features, monitor the Small Grants – Environment or any new SFS pilot announcements.

One more avenue in Wales: the Woodland Investment Grant (WIG), part of the National Forest programme, has offered funding to enhance or expand woodlands (including perhaps small-scale planting). It’s more about enhancing existing woodlands and community involvement, but farmers could partner in landscape projects. Also, organisations like the Woodland Trust work in Wales to provide free trees and hedge packs for schools and communities – farmers sometimes can access those or work with local community groups to plant on farm boundaries. These aren’t “grants” per se to the farmer, but they lower your cost by providing trees. They often meet the required standards (native species, UK sourced, etc.).

(Wales summary: Farmers can get roughly £3k–£6k per hectare for new woodlands (depending on type) plus 12 years of maintenance (£1.58k) and income foregone payments (£4.2k) – adding up to potentially around £10k/ha for a well-designed native woodland. Small Grant rounds make it feasible even for a 1–2 ha grove. Hedgerow funding has been offered in targeted grant rounds (e.g. up to 1000 m of new hedge funded in 2023) and is expected to be part of the forthcoming Sustainable Farming Scheme. The key is to watch the application calendars and be ready to jump on the opportunities when they arise.)