Here’s how Yorkshire farmers and land managers can apply for the Woodland Tree Health grant

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has published guidance on applications for Woodland Tree Health (WTH) grants for 2025. Woodland Tree Health (WTH) grants are open for applications all year from 2 January 2025.

About the grants

WTH grants are available to a wide range of farmers and land managers. There are now two uncompetitive WTH grants available all year from 2 January 2025:

• WTH Restoration grant – this grant provides support for restocking woodland after felling due to a tree health issue.
• WTH Improvement grant – this grant provides support for the removal of trees and rhododendron infected with either Phytophthora ramorum, Phytophthora pluvialis or Phytophthora kernoviae. It is not available for the removal of trees infected with the Chalara dieback of ash.

Given WTH grants are not competitive if you’re eligible for a grant and there is sufficient budget, the RPA (supported by a Forestry Commission woodland adviser) will in most cases approve your application.

What the grant cannot pay for

You cannot use WTH grants to pay for:

• any capital works done (or materials purchased) before your agreement starts
• planning application fees or other transactional fees
• agent fees or other advisory fees
• meeting legal requirements, including planning conditions and tenancy agreements

Who can apply and what land is eligible

WTH grants are open to farmers and land managers who are either:

• an owner occupier
• a tenant
• a landlord
• a licensor, if they have management control of the land and activities needed to meet the obligations of the grant for the full duration of the agreement

These grants can be applied for individually or together. A Forestry Commission woodland adviser will assess your site to make sure that the grant is appropriate.

To be eligible for a WTH grant agreement the land parcels must be geographically located in England and the land must meet the definition of woodland. Woodland is defined as an area of land that:

• is at least 0.5 hectares
• has an average width of at least 20 metres
• is under groups or lines of trees that are, or will reach, at least five metres in height
• has a crown cover of more than 20% of the ground area

Works carried out under the agreement must be worth at least £500 and any land that is entered into the WTH Restoration grant must be a minimum of 0.25 hectares and a minimum woodland block size of 0.1 hectares.

Key points to note

From receipt of the grant the applicant has three years to finish the work and will not be paid for any work that takes place after the three-year period.

A tenant may apply for the grant if they meet the application requirements, which include having the landlord's prior agreement and also having a tenancy agreement for at least three years from the start of the WTH agreement itself.

For further information on the above please contact Katie Wright on 01482 398376 email [email protected] or visit Agriculture Solicitors | Legal Support For Farms & Families