Tree Health Pilot Scheme

Tree Health Pilot Scheme is sponsored by Forestry Commission. Supports projects aimed at improving tree health and resilience against pests and diseases, enhancing the sustainability of woodlands.

Tree health pilot scheme: who can apply and what land is eligible - GOV.UK This publication is available at https://www.

gov.uk/government/publications/tree-health-pilot-scheme/tree-health-pilot-scheme-2024-who-can-apply-and-what-land-is-eligible The tree health pilot ( THP ) scheme grants are available for owners or managers of: larch trees with Phytophthora ramorum spruce with confirmed Ips typographus (eight-toothed spruce bark beetle) or that are growing in the proactive spruce removal area sweet chestnut trees with Phytophthora ramorum or sweet chestnut blight oak trees with oak processionary moth ( OPM ) in the established area ash trees with ash dieback The trees or woodlands you manage must be in one of these regions of England: Or, if the trees or woodlands you manage are spruce: anywhere in England where Ips typographus has been confirmed with a Statutory Plant Health Notice ( SPHN ) within the proactive spruce removal area If you’re not sure which region your trees or woodlands are in, check the Area and Woodland Officer boundaries map or contact your area office .

Read the THP scheme documents to check what the grants cover and how to apply. Check if your land is eligible You can apply for a grant for trees in woodland or trees outside woodland (TOW). There is no minimum or maximum number of trees you can apply for.

Grant requirements for trees in woodland The group of trees you are applying for can make up an entire woodland or be part of a larger woodland.

The group of trees must: have an average width of at least 20 metres be under groups or lines of trees that are, or will reach, at least 5 metres in height and with a crown cover of more than 20% of the ground area Grant requirements for trees outside woodland Trees outside of woodlands are any trees or small woods which cover an area of less than 0. 5 hectares.

For example, trees in hedgerows, beside roads and footpaths as well as small groups, copses, shelterbelts and small linear woodlands or in parks. The THP scheme is open to people in certain regions of England who manage specific trees or woodlands infected by specific pests and diseases. You can apply as an individual or on behalf of other people for a group grant.

You may want to apply for a group grant if, for example, you’re from a local council, a charity or you’re a land agent. Apply to the THP scheme as an individual If you’re applying as an individual, you must be a: Apply to the THP scheme as a group You can apply for some of the grants as a group, depending on the situation.

For example, if you and your neighbours have the same tree species with the same pest or disease, you might want to apply together. Read about the rules for lead facilitators and group applicants to find out what you need to do for a group application in the THP scheme.

You may be invited to participate by a Forestry Commission Woodland Officer or you can express your interest in taking part by submitting an expression of interest (EOI) form . Following eligibility checks, the Forestry Commission will organise a site visit and send you a THP application pack. General grant requirements Your grant application must have a minimum funding value of £500.

Check your eligibility for each grant and the payment rates in the relevant guidance. You cannot claim for any incurred expenditure for activities or purchases before you’ve received confirmation that your agreement is live. If you do any work which you applied for before you sign an agreement, you cannot claim grant funding for that work.

You will be paid based on costs incurred for undertaking grant-funded activities. Any VAT which you cannot recover from HMRC can be included in your THP scheme application and claims. If you already get other funding If you get funding from other agri-environment or woodland schemes, you can still take part in the THP scheme.

The activities for the THP scheme must be different to the activities you’re getting funding for. You cannot get paid twice for the same work. As a THP scheme agreement holder, the Forestry Commission will ask you to: attend online workshops with other participants, if needed have one-on-one conversations with researchers You’ll need to provide feedback for the duration of your agreement.

Your feedback will help contribute towards the design of future tree health schemes. Return to the THP scheme guidance . No this page is not useful Thank you for your feedback Report a problem with this page Do not include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

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