The ETAP (England trees action plan 2021 to 2024) outlines the government’s vision for the treescape it wants to see in England by 2050 and beyond.
Subsequently, the government has set a legally binding ambitious target to increase tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% of total land area in England by 2050 – this equates to about 240,000 hectares.
Farmers and landowners will play a crucial role in helping to deliver these ambitions.
Manging existing trees on farm and planting trees can help to deliver benefits to the environment which work alongside food production and create a more resilient farming sector.
We launched the NFU tree strategy in July 2021. It sets out the opportunities and barriers of managing and integrating trees within the farmed environment and our key asks of government to ensure the right policies and incentives are in place. We are currently reviewing the government’s progress against the NFU’s tree strategy asks.
Government funding options
England woodland creation offer
The EWCO (England woodland creation offer) is the government’s main woodland creation fund which is operated by the Forestry Commission.
In the future it will be integrated into the ELMs (Environmental Land Management scheme) offer. It provides funding for woodland creation and their maintenance on areas as small as one hectare.
Support to plan the EWCO woodland is available through the WCPG (woodland creation planning grant).
More detail on the WCPG and EWCO is available on GOV.UK and can be discussed with your local Forestry Commission woodland creation team/officer.
Applicants to the EWCO in low sensitivity areas could benefit from the Forestry Commission fast track approach to applications. This approach aims to make regulatory decisions and grant offers in 12 weeks.
This may provide a quicker route for those considering planting woodland this coming winter. Information on fast-track woodland creation applications is available on GOV.UK.
Deadline: Applications for the EWCO should ideally be received by 30 June 2024 to secure agreement offers for this coming tree planting season. There is still time to apply through the fast-track approach.
There are several other Forestry Commission woodland grants and incentives. An overview of these is available at: GOV.UK | Woodland grants and incentives overview table.
Farming in Protected Landscapes
The FiPL (Farming in Protected Landscapes) programme provides funding to support farmers and landowners in Protected Landscapes (National Parks, National Landscapes [AONBs] and Norfolk Broads).
The programme began in July 2021 and will run until March 2025. Although this is a Defra programme, the delivery and allocation of the funding to participants is operated by the National Park and National Landscape teams.
The programme has been designed differently to agri-environment schemes; this enables projects to be specific to the area and the landowners within it. In some places this may involve trees.
Forestry England woodland partnership programme
Forestry England offers to lease land from landowners to create and manage new woodlands and pays a rent to the landowner.
Find out more on Forestry England’s webpage on the woodland partnership programme.
Alternative funding options
Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity. It operates several funds and grants for tree planting and woodland creation including:
- MOREwoods – Funding of up to 75% of costs is available, for where more than 500 trees are planted as woodland on at least half a hectare.
- Trees for you Farm – Plant 500+ trees to improve productivity and the environment on your farm. Funding of up to 100% of costs is available for agroforestry schemes benefiting the business of productive farms.
- MOREhedges – Plant 100+ metres of new hedging allowing a large tree to grow every 6 metres. Funding of up to 75% of costs is available.
Find out more about the Woodland Trust's funding.
At a regional level, the NFU sometimes runs tree giveaway initiatives with the Woodland Trust. Updates on are these are posted in regional communications.
National Highways
National Highways wants to engage with landowners to help plant 3 million trees.
National Highways will be donating up to 600,000 whips on an annual basis from UK native trees species until the 2028/2029 planting season. More detail about the opportunity is available on the National Highways website.
Tree planting advice
A local Forestry Commission woodland creation team or officer will be able to provide guidance and more information about tree planting funding and opportunities in your area. Their details can be found on GOV.UK.
It’s important to understand exactly what you're signing up to if you are planting trees – in most cases this is long-term permanent land use change.
If you’re unsure about any contracts or legal information when entering tree planting schemes or agreements, it is important to consider taking professional advice.
The NFU offer a legal service through our internal and external legal professionals working together for the benefit of our members. Our in-house legally qualified advisers can assist you through our NFU Legal Assistance Scheme and NFU Contract Checking Service.
The right tree needs to be planted in the right place and in the right way for it to establish and flourish. Those planting trees should familiarise themselves with practical tree planting advice and guidance.
The Tree Council planting guide sets out the main considerations when planting trees and The Woodland Trust provides advice on three ways to plant a tree.
Member stories
Find out how other members have accessed funding:
