TE1: Planting standard hedgerow tree

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the planting standard hedgerow tree item.

From:
Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
Published
2 April 2015
Last updated
7 November 2023 — See all updates
Grant type:
Capital item
Land use:
Air quality, Boundaries, Trees (non-woodland), Uplands
Tiers or standalone items:
Higher Tier, Mid Tier, Standalone capital items
Funding (per unit per year):
Up to £100

How much will be paid

£19.06 per tree.

Where the item is available

Available for Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants.

Where to use this item

In hedgerows on agreement land

How this item will benefit the environment

Hedgerow trees provide shelter, food, nesting sites and song posts, as well as stepping stones between woodland habitats, and make a valuable contribution to the landscape.

Requirements

  • carry out work between 30 September and 31 March when the hedge is still dormant
  • plant into gaps in the hedge - if there is no suitable gap then plant into a notch cut into the hedgerow
  • plant each tree in a pit deep and wide enough to contain the full depth and width of the root system
  • plant native species at least 2 metres tall
  • plant trees in irregular spacing with at least 20m between them to allow for full crown development
  • tag each tree with a brightly coloured durable material
  • drive a clearly visible stake into the hedgerow on either side of the tree
  • stake and tie each tree securely, using material appropriate to the size and species of the tree
  • use rubber flexible and adjustable tree ties to prevent wind damage
  • maintain stakes and ties until the tree is established
  • remove ties when the tree is established and no longer needs support
  • prevent livestock and wild animal damage
  • control weeds until the trees have established
  • replace any dead trees in the following planting season

Do not:

  • plant beneath or within 20m of overhead power lines or other overhead and underground services
  • let tree guards damage the growing tree

Keeping records

Agreement holders will need to 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
  • the date, location and method of any weed control undertaken
  • the dates of planting
  • details of age, height and species planted
  • photograph of the location of where each tree will be planted

Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Mid Tier, Higher Tier or 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.

Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them with the claim:

  • photographs of the completed work

Applicants will have to send the following with their application:

  • a record of where hedgerow trees are to be planted - this can be marked on any map including the Farm Environment Record (FER)

This item can be used with the following items:

Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this item

The following section gives advice on carrying out the item successfully but does not form a part of the requirements for this item.

Plant the trees

Planting should not be undertaken:

  • during frost
  • during a drought
  • in waterlogged ground

When planting:

  • only use native trees already present in the local area
  • space the trees far enough to let crowns develop without competing or producing too much shade
  • space far enough apart so the gaps between trees can be easily trimmed with a mechanical flail
  • use irregular spacing to create a more natural landscape - look at the local landscape to see what is appropriate

Make the trees visible

The biggest threat to young hedgerow trees is flailing. Hand-trimming a hedge 1m either side of young trees is an effective way to make them more visible. Also warn machine operators to look out for them.

Further information

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

Updates to this page

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 7 November 2023 + show all updates

  1. Removal of text confirming TE1 Planting standard hedgerow tree availability under Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants (SFI pilot), as the SFI Capital offer is no longer available.

  2. Edited to confirm that TE1 is also available for the Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants (SFI pilot).

  3. 'Air quality' added to Land use.

  4. Changes to the following section: 'Where the item is available'

  5. Information updated for applications in 2016

  6. First published.

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