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Tree planting funding and grants

Choose the right grant for you

Government tree planting grants offer an average of £19,000 per hectare for planting and establishment helping cover the costs so you can see the benefits without carrying all the risk. The amount you receive will depend on the specifics of your grant application.

Expert advisers will listen to what you need, help you understand your options, find the right approach for your land and develop a plan that works for your farm.

There are two main funding routes: the England Woodland Creation Offer and Regional Woodland Creation Grants.

Government-backed grants, funded for the long term, so you can plan with confidence.

The England Woodland Creation Offer

The Forestry Commission’s England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) offers up to £10,200 per hectare for planting and maintenance, plus additional payments of up to £12,700 per hectare for projects delivering wider public, social and environmental benefits. You can also receive annual payments of £400 per hectare for 15 years to support establishment, with expert advice to help develop a plan for your land.

Farmer and advisor look at land map in a field

Regional Woodland Creation Grants

Regional Woodland Creation Grants offer funding for planting and establishment in eligible catchment areas, with some schemes providing upfront payments to help with initial costs. You will also get tailored advice and one-to-one support to develop a tree planting plan that that fits around your farm business and works for your land.

Farmer and advisor lean on tractor and study land maps

Receive free, expert guidance

The application process was a doddle.

Whichever tree planting grant you choose, local expert advisors are on-hand to offer free bespoke guidance to help you through the entire process.  

England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO): use the Forestry Commission enquiry form. It takes just 5 minutes to complete, and your local woodland creation team will contact you to provide advice on grant options, technical guidance, and help develop your planting plans. 

Regional Woodland Creation Grants: visit our regional woodland creation grants page to contact your local woodland creation partner, who can provide tailored support to design a project that works for your land and business. 

See how farmers are putting trees to work

George Thompson, a farmer at Bell House Farm, shows how trees can work alongside farming to add value and improve animal welfare.

  • New oak trees are turning a wet, unproductive field into useful grazing.
  • Shelterbelts give sheep and cattle protection from wind, rain and summer heat.
  • Livestock benefit without any loss of productive land.
  • Grants and expert support made planting simple, and George is already planning more

It was really easy from start to finish. It was just a case of being able to contact the right person and they pretty much did everything for me.

Lee Pedley, Tawell Farm, Cornwall