Grants for larch, spruce and sweet chestnut
Updated 16 February 2024
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tree-health-pilot-scheme-2023/grants-for-larch-spruce-and-sweet-chestnut
Grants are available for:
- larch with Phytophthora ramorum
- spruce affected by spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus)
- sweet chestnut with Phytophthora ramorum or sweet chestnut blight
Check your eligibility for each grant and the payment rates in the relevant sections of this guidance.
You can also check general eligibility for the tree health pilot (THP) scheme in Who can apply and what land is eligible.
How the grants are paid
There are 3 ways the Forestry Commission will pay for work in the THP, depending on which grants you’re applying for:
- felling and infrastructure grants use a ‘maximum rate cap’
- all other costs are either standard costs or actual costs
Maximum rate cap: felling and permanent infrastructure
The sale value of your timber or chip will be subtracted from the total cost of your felling and infrastructure costs.
This is the ‘actual net cost’ to you. It is how the amount you’ll be paid for felling and infrastructure costs is calculated.
The Forestry Commission will pay you 80% of the actual net cost of your felling work. This includes any hired items that you need such as temporary tracks and surfaces.
If your felling operations exceed £50 per m3, the Forestry Commission will not pay you anything over that amount.
The Forestry Commission will pay you 40% of the actual net cost of your permanent infrastructure improvements. These costs include:
- roads
- tracks
- loading areas
- items such as gates and cattle grids
The Forestry Commission will not pay you for infrastructure improvements that cost over:
- £100 per linear metre for road or track costs
- £30 per m2 for loading areas
Example
You apply for a felling grant and a permanent infrastructure grant to fell and remove 500m3 of diseased larch trees.
After carrying out the works, the cost of the felling was £20,000. The cost of building a 200m forest track (permanent infrastructure improvement) was £10,000. This means the total cost was £30,000 at a ratio of 2:1.
After selling the harvested larch as timber, you receive £15,000 back. This means the net cost of the operation was £15,000 (£30,000 minus £15,000).
Of the £15,000 net cost, and based on the ratio of 2:1, the felling made up two thirds of the net cost - £10,000. The infrastructure improvements made up one third of the net cost - £5,000. This means you’re eligible to claim:
- £8,000 for the felling grant - 80% of the actual net cost
- £2,000 for the infrastructure grant - 40% of the actual net cost
The net cost to fell worked out at £20 per m3, which is below the maximum cap of £50 per m3.
The net cost to build the forest track worked out at £25 per linear metre, which is also below the maximum cap of £100 per linear metre.
If you need help understanding maximum rate cap payments, request a claims form calculator by emailing thpilotenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk
Standard costs
The Forestry Commission will fund standard costs at the specified rate in the grant payment rate tables, regardless of the cost to you.
Actual costs
Actual costs are the total amount it costs for you to carry out the work or buy goods and services.
For actual costs you must:
- first get approval from the Forestry Commission
- provide multiple quotes with your application
The actual cost you enter in the application form should be the lowest quote that you’ve sourced.
You do not have to use the contractor that has provided the lowest quote. But the Forestry Commission will only fund up to the value of the lowest quote.
Felling, chemical treatment and permanent infrastructure grants
If you have diseased larch, spruce or sweet chestnut trees, you can apply for these grants.
They can help cover the costs of:
- carrying out felling operations, including temporary infrastructure improvements or hiring access aid equipment
- chemical killing of trees
- permanent infrastructure improvements such as building roads, tracks and gates
Read the technical guidance for more information about:
Grants for larch with Phytophthora ramorum
You can apply as an individual or as a group for grants for larch trees with Phytophthora ramorum in woodlands (more than 0.5 hectare).
If you own an area of larch trees infected with Phytophthora ramorum of less than 0.5 hectare, you must apply as part of a group application. The total area of the larch trees must be 0.5 hectare or larger.
You cannot get a restocking grant for individual applications for larch trees with Phytophthora ramorum in the THP. But you can apply for this through the Countryside Stewardship Woodland Tree Health grant.
Read the role of the Lead Facilitator to understand what’s required to be part of a group, or a facilitator.
Grant payment rates: larch with Phytophthora ramorum
Use the table to work out which grants you want to apply for.
| Type of grant | Individual applications | Group applications |
|---|---|---|
| Felling larch less than 25 years old, including any temporary infrastructure | 80% of net costs, for anything under £50 per m3. You can only apply for this in combination with an infrastructure grant | 80% of net costs, for anything under £50 per m3 |
| Felling larch 25 years old or over, including any temporary infrastructure | 80% of net costs, for anything under £50 per m3 | 80% of net costs, for anything under £50 per m3 |
| Chemical killing | Up to £8 per tree using ecoplugs or up to £4 per tree if using liquid glyphosate | Up to £8 per tree using ecoplugs or up to £4 per tree if using liquid glyphosate |
| Permanent infrastructure improvements | 40% of net costs for anything under £100 per metre for linear improvements (for example roads or tracks) and £30 per m2 for other improvements such as loading areas | 40% of net costs for anything under £100 per metre for linear improvements (for example roads or tracks) and £30 per m2 for other improvements such as loading areas |
| Rhododendron clearance | Between £3,500 and £5,500 depending on the site. See rhododendron control | Between £3,500 and £5,500 depending on the site. See rhododendron control |
| Biosecurity items | See the biosecurity capital items grant | See the biosecurity capital items grant |
| Facilitation fees | Not available | £24 per hour |
| Restocking and capital items | See grants for restocking trees | See grants for restocking trees |
| Restocking maintenance | £350 per hectare for 5 years for woodland, or £189 per large tree and £0.14 for whips and feathers for 3 years for trees outside of woodland | £350 per hectare for 5 years for woodland, or £189 per large tree and £0.14 for whips and feathers for 3 years for trees outside of woodland |
Grants for spruce with or at risk of eight-toothed spruce bark beetle
You can apply as an individual or a group for these grants. Grants apply to spruce with, or at risk of, eight-toothed spruce bark beetle in and outside of woodlands.
Some non-competitive agreements are available for sites with eight-toothed spruce bark beetle under Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN). There are a limited number of these and when they run out, the Forestry Commission will score applications.
To apply, you’ll either:
- already have an infestation of eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (you’ll have an SPHN which confirms this)
- own or manage spruce trees or woodlands in an area at risk of infestation, known as the ‘demarcated area’ - check if your trees or woodlands are in the demarcated area
Read the role of the Lead Facilitator to understand what’s required to be part of a group, or a facilitator.
Proactively managing trees to remove the risk of infestation within the Ips typographus (eight toothed bark beetle) demarcated area can:
- maximise ways your timber can be used and also maximise timber revenue
- give you more time to plan (you’d have requirements and deadlines to meet if Ips typographus was identified and you were issued with a Statutory Plant Health Notice)
Grant payment rates: spruce with or at risk of eight-toothed spruce bark beetle
Use the table to work out which grants you want to apply for.
| Type of grant | Individual applications | Group applications |
|---|---|---|
| Felling, including any temporary infrastructure | 80% of net costs, for anything under £50 per m3 | 80% of net costs, for anything under £50 per m3 |
| Permanent infrastructure improvements | 40% of net costs for anything under £100 per metre for linear improvements (for example roads or tracks) and £30 per m2 for other improvements such as loading areas | 40% of net costs for anything under £100 per metre for linear improvements (for example roads or tracks) and £30 per m2 for other improvements such as loading areas |
| Biosecurity items | See the biosecurity capital items grant | See the biosecurity capital items grant |
| Facilitation fees | Not available | £24 per hour |
| Restocking and capital items | See grants for restocking trees | See grants for restocking trees |
| Restocking maintenance | £350 per hectare for 5 years for woodland, or £189 per large tree and £0.14 for whips and feathers for 3 years for trees outside of woodland | £350 per hectare for 5 years for woodland, or £189 per large tree and £0.14 for whips and feathers for 3 years for trees outside of woodland |
Grants for sweet chestnut with Phytophthora ramorum or sweet chestnut blight
Grants apply to sweet chestnut trees with Phytophthora ramorum or sweet chestnut blight in and outside of woodlands.
You can apply as an individual or as a group for these grants.
You cannot get a restocking grant for individual applications for trees in woodlands in the THP. But you can apply for this through the Countryside Stewardship Woodland Tree Health grant.
You can only apply for grants for chemical killing of trees with Phytophthora ramorum if advised by the Forestry Commission. They do not recommend the chemical killing of sweet chestnut trees with sweet chestnut blight.
Read the role of the Lead Facilitator to understand what’s required to be part of a group, or a facilitator.
Grant payment rates: sweet chestnut with Phytophthora ramorum or sweet chestnut blight
Use the table to work out which grants you want to apply for.
| Type of grant | Individual applications | Group applications |
|---|---|---|
| Felling and temporary infrastructure | 80% of net costs, for anything under £50 per m3 | 80% of net costs, for anything under £50 per m3 |
| Chemical killing (not for sweet chestnut with sweet chestnut blight) | Up to £8 per tree using ecoplugs or up to £4 per tree if using liquid glyphosate | Up to £8 per tree using ecoplugs or up to £4 per tree if using liquid glyphosate |
| Permanent infrastructure improvements | 40% of net costs for anything under £100 per metre for linear improvements (for example roads or tracks) and £30 per m2 for other improvements such as loading areas | 40% of net costs for anything under £100 per metre for linear improvements (for example roads or tracks) and £30 per m2 for other improvements such as loading areas |
| Biosecurity items | See the biosecurity capital items grant | See the biosecurity capital items grant |
| Facilitation fee | Not available | £24 per hour |
| Restocking and capital items | Not available | See grants for restocking trees |
| Restocking maintenance | Not available | £350 per hectare for 5 years for woodland, or £189 per large tree and £0.14 for whips and feathers for 3 years for trees outside of woodland |
Grant for biosecurity capital items
You can use this grant to pay back what you spend on biosecurity capital items to prevent the spread of tree disease.
Consider what items you need to uphold good biosecurity practices for sites with:
- larch with Phytophthora ramorum
- spruce affected by spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus)
- sweet chestnut with Phytophthora ramorum or sweet chestnut blight
Read the biosecurity protocol and capital items for more information about items you should consider purchasing, including a biosecurity kit.
You may also want to consider applying for the Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN) advice package. This helps cover extra costs, including 4 hours of agent time to advise on biosecurity improvements and management.
Biosecurity items you can claim for
You can apply for the hire or purchase of specific items listed in the biosecurity capital items grant payment rates table.
You can also apply for actual costs for items not listed in the table if they are:
- relevant to the biosecurity of your site
- approved by the Forestry Commission
You must discuss any additional items with your THP woodland officer before submitting your application.
Grant payment rates: biosecurity capital items
Use the table to work out which grants you want to apply for.
| Type of biosecurity item | Hire | Purchase |
|---|---|---|
| Personal biosecurity kit | Not eligible | £18 |
| Portable pressure washer | Not eligible | £41 |
| Petrol powered pressure washers and water bowsers for Phytophthora ramorum, sweet chestnut blight and Ips typographus | £80 | Not eligible |
| Static wheel washing stations for sites with high traffic volumes for Phytophthora ramorum, sweet chestnut blight and Ips typographus | £216 | Not eligible |
| Static boot washing stations for sites with high personnel volumes for Phytophthora ramorum, sweet chestnut blight and Ips typographus | £16 | Not eligible |
| Signage for path diversions | Not eligible | £50 |
| Tarpaulin for Ips typographus | Not eligible | £0.50 per m2 |
| Hire of road sweeper | 60% of actual costs | 40% of actual costs |
| Welfare unit | 60% of actual costs | 40% of actual costs |
| Portable washing facilities for workers and machinery | 60% of actual costs | 40% of actual costs |
Apply for this grant or return to the THP scheme 2023 guidance.