Tree planting and woodland creation: overview

Seed Sourcing Grant:

The supportingSeed Sourcing Grant supports the development of high-quality tree seed sources in England. Projects should enhance seed stands and orchards available for collection.

The grant is aimed at UK-based organisations, landowners, tree seed suppliers and many more.

Get moneyincome from selling carbon

If your project is not cost-effective with a woodland creation grant alone, you might be able to earn further income by selling carbon credits from your project.

Find out more about the Woodland Carbon Code scheme for buyers and landowners.

Read more about theThe benefits of woodland creation: woods and carbon and how woodland creation can help tackle climate change.

Funding from our partners

We work with severala number of partners who offer woodland creation opportunities.

Tree planting and woodland creation: funding and advice shows all available grants and incentives, including those from other organisations. These include the Woodland Creation Partnership, Forestry England and England’s community forests.

Find out more about funding and advice from our partners.

When to apply for an Environmental Impact Assessment

The EIA process has 2 stages. Most projects only need to complete the first stage.

If you want to create new woodland without grant support from us, you may need to apply for a ‘stage 1’ forestry Environmental Impact Assessment. This is dependent on the size and location of the proposed project.

If your proposal has been approved for a Woodland Creation Planning Grant, you can submit the plan with your ‘stage 1’ EIA application. You don’t need to complete all sections of the application form.

If you’re applying to us for funding, for example, through the England Woodland Creation Offer, there is no need to apply for an EIA. Your grant application is sufficient for us to complete the EIA process. This is providing you have included all the required information in your application.

If you have completed the Woodland Creation Planning Grant for your proposal, your approved woodland creation design plan will be used for the EIA process. So you won’t need to complete all of the England Woodland Creation Offer application form.

Find out more about when to apply for an EIA.

Creating sustainable woodlands

Read the UKFS. This is the reference standard for sustainable forest management across the UK.

The UKFS applies to all UK woodland and explains the international agreements and conventions that apply to sustainable forest management to address climate change, help biodiversity and protect soil and water resources. It covers all forestry activities in the UK and sets out the legal requirements and best practice standards for owners of woodland.

Learn more about what to consider when creating woodland using the UK Forestry Standard.

Sustainability best practice

When designing new woodlands, use the Forest Research tool Ecological Site Classification decision support system. This will help you select species ecologically suited to your site.

You should also consider how tree species suitability is likely to change in the future.

Habitats and species protection

You need to consider habitats and species already present on the land when planning a new woodland.

Find out more about:

• managing and protecting woodland wildlife
• how to benefit species and habitats biodiversity in your woodland
• creating and managing riparian woodland

You must also plan how best to protect the trees that you plant.

Find out more about:

• tree pests and diseases
• managing threats from destructive animals and invasive species
• preventing the spread of tree pests and diseases.

Further resources and case studies

Tree planting and woodland creation resources has a list of expert guides on woodland planning, site preparation, how to protect young trees and much more.

Woodland creation timeline: from planning to planting gives an idea of timings from scoping your landscape to planting your first tree.

The Conditional Exemption Tax Incentive Scheme was set up to preserve and protect national heritage. This includes woodland. Find out if you can get relief from Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax.

Trees to timber: how landowners can benefit from commercial forestry explains the financial and environmental benefits of home-grown timber.

Plant your future: the case for trees outlines the benefits that trees can bring to your land and the financial and expert support available.

Guide for planning new woodland in England shows the necessary steps of planning, designing and creating new woodland to help you create a comprehensive plan that will make your woodland sustainable and UKFS compliant.

Plant your future: top 5 reasons to plant woodland details the benefits that trees add to your land, your local community, the environment and future generations.

How woodland creation can benefit your farm outlines the financial incentives and expert support available. Learn how woodland creation can help you diversify and generate reliable revenue streams.

The benefits of woodland creation: woods and water explains the benefits that tree planting and woodland creation bring to water management and water quality.

The benefits of woodland creation: woods for nature explains how woodland creation can help biodiversity.

Case studies

ReadHear aboutfrom peoplethose who have already completed successful woodland creation projects on their land:land. treeRead our Tree planting and woodland creation case studies.

Contact us

Contact your local woodland creation team for more information about creating woodland on your land.

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