TE13: Creation of dead wood habitat on trees

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the creation of dead wood habitat on trees item.

From:
Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
Published
2 April 2015
Last updated
14 February 2023 — See all updates
Grant type:
Capital item
Land use:
Priority habitats, Trees (non-woodland), Uplands
Tiers or standalone items:
Higher Tier, Standalone capital items
Funding (per unit per year):
£201 to £300

How much will be paid

£285.58 per tree.

Where to use this item

it is available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier and Higher Tier Capital Grants when the following conditions are met:

  • on trees that are located on or adjacent to sites with existing populations of veteran trees
  • where the land around the trees being treated is managed by cutting or extensive grazing
  • where tree cover across the area where they are located does not exceed 25%
  • on trees that will not impede or be impeded by the crown or canopy of existing veteran trees
  • on trees that are of the same native species and genetic origin as existing native veteran trees in the same area

How this item will benefit the environment

It promotes continuity in the provision of dead wood habitat to benefit rare or specialised wildlife where there is a generational gap between existing veteran trees and their successors.

If successful there will be deliberate ‘damage’ or ageing of younger trees in association with veteran trees where there is a generation gap in the recruitment of future veterans. This will mimic the natural damage caused for example by lightning strikes, branch failure and woodpecker holes, speeding up of the process of producing valuable wood decay habitats otherwise only found in very old trees.

Requirements

You must:

  • remove any existing scrub around the selected trees
  • carry out the work as set out in an approved specification or implementation plan -conduct the work between 1 September and 1 March, using skilled labour
  • cut trees at sufficient height to prevent grazing of re-growth
  • make sure you can monitor the trees’ response to cutting, by tagging each tree and taking and retaining before and after photographs and making them available to Natural England on request
  • leave all mature and veteran standing trees and all standing and fallen deadwood
  • keep the deadwood of any tree that dies following veteranisation work and plant a replacement tree of the same native species and genetic origin

Do not:

  • use this item for work required for health and safety purposes

Keeping records

Before you apply, you must get a written assessment and advice on the work required from a qualified arboricultural expert. The assessment must:

  • lay out the intended outcome of the work
  • explain how the long term health and viability of the trees to be cut will be maintained
  • explain the requirements for subsequent management

You must send the following with your application:

  • a map showing the location of mature and veteran standing trees and standing and fallen deadwood


You must keep the following records and supply them with your annual payment claim:

  • photographs of the completed work
  • a copy of the arboricultural assessment detailed above


You must keep the following records and supply them on request:

  • any consents or permissions connected with the work
  • receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
  • photographs of the trees before works start
  • records required of the work undertaken and details of the persons undertaking it and their qualifications


Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Higher Tier or Higher Tier Capital Grants guidance for more detail. You can find the latest guidance at Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage.

You can use this item on the same area as the following options and items:

Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this item

The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.

Picking the right trees

‘Veteranisation’ or the creation of dead wood habitat on trees could shorten the tree’s life. Only attempt this where there are enough trees to be left without such treatment and no late-mature trees to provide successors to any veterans. Never use this method on trees which may already be developing wood decay habitat, trees that already have important habitat, or trees where damage may become a safety issue such as in parks or towns. Any intervention still needs to be sufficiently small so that it does not pose an immediate threat to the tree, allowing it to survive for many years.

Management

You can use a number of methods to encourage veteran features on younger trees including:

  • cutting the tops of trees that are likely to respond to pollarding
  • making holes in live standing trees to initiate rot
  • deliberately damaging the bark to induce decay or simulate sap runs
  • breaking branches, rather than saw them off flush, or create ‘coronet’ ends
  • increasing water retention in forks and crowns of trees by drilling holes

You must seek advice from a suitably qualified arboriculturalist before you carry out any work. For more detailed advice on suitable techniques speak to your adviser.

Planting new trees

If a tree dies following this work you must replace it with a tree of the same species and genetic origin. You must plant any replacement tree where there is enough room to grow an open crown.

Consents and permissions

A number of consents and permissions may apply:

  • the Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and Conservation Orders may apply to the trees on site
  • old trees especially can host European Protected Species, such as bats

Follow the advice on the VETree website for creating veteran features.

Additional guidance and advice

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

This option can form part of an IPM approach to prevent the establishment of pests, weeds and diseases. If successful, appropriate and within proximity of cropped areas, these may limit the need for the use of Plant Protection Products and enhance wildlife and biodiversity on your holding. Read information on IPM at AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) Integrated Pest Management and LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming).

Further information

Read these useful guidance booklets for more information on managing ancient or veteran trees:

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Higher Tier and Higher Tier Capital Grants including how to apply.

Updates to this page

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 14 February 2023 + show all updates

  1. It item is now available for Higher Tier Capital Grants

  2. Additional guidance and advice section added to explain this option can form part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to prevent the establishment of pests, weeds and diseases.

  3. The Keeping records section of this page has been updated

  4. Updated for 2017 applications.

  5. Information updated for applications in 2016.

  6. First published.

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