SB3: Tree removal

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the tree removal 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, Uplands, Vegetation control
• Tiers or standalone items: Higher Tier, Standalone capital items
• Funding (per unit per year): £101 to £200

How much will be paid

£155.17 per tree.

Where to use this item

It is available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier and Higher Tier Capital Grants only if there is a net cost for the removal of timber, allowing for any timber sales.

How this item will benefit the environment

It will support the removal of trees, helping to restore open habitats or prevent damage to environmental features.

Requirements

You must agree a specification for the work with Natural England, including:

• the removal of trees in the agreed places and at the agreed times
• make sure that no trees are uprooted (or roots removed after felling) on historic or archaeological features
• the removal of felled trees from the site, leaving some wood stacked in the agreed areas

Keeping records

Before you apply, contact the Forestry Commission to see if you need a felling licence or an environmental impact assessment.

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

• photographs of the completed work
• a copy of the advice from the Forestry Commission

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 to be removed

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.

Further information

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.

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

1. 13 February 2023

   This item is now available for Higher Tier Capital Grants

2. 11 February 2020

   The Keeping records section of this page has been updated

3. 29 March 2016

   Information updated for applications in 2016

4. 2 April 2015

   First published.