Guidance

How to apply for the tree health pilot scheme

Updated 27 November 2024

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tree-health-pilot-scheme-2024/how-to-apply-for-the-tree-health-pilot-scheme-2024

To apply for the tree health pilot (THP) 2024 grants, follow the process in this guidance.

However, if you want to apply for the tree health advice package, you’ll need to:

Expression of interest forms

If you want to apply to the THP scheme as an individual or group, you’ll need to complete and submit an expression of interest form. 

This applies to: 

  • larch, spruce and sweet chestnut grants 
  • oak with oak processionary moth (OPM) grants  
  • ash with ash dieback grants 
  • grants for restocking trees

Initial assessment and site visit 

A Forestry Commission representative will contact you within 3 weeks of receiving your expression of interest form by email. 

They’ll consider whether you’re eligible for the THP scheme. 

If you’re likely to qualify for a grant, they’ll arrange a pre-assessment site visit.

If you get a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN) 

During your initial assessment, a woodland officer may find a notifiable pest or disease in your trees. The woodland officer might issue an SPHN, if you do not already have one. 

If you receive an SPHN, you’re legally required to deal with the pest or disease. 

This applies even if you do not receive funding as part of the THP scheme.

Get eligibility confirmation 

Based on an initial assessment and site visit, the Forestry Commission will advise you if you should submit a full application. 

The THP scheme is competitive. The Forestry Commission score applications based on: 

  • how they’ll contribute to research and learning 
  • how they’re achieving positive plant health outcomes 

If you’re not eligible to take part in the THP scheme, you may be eligible to apply for the Countryside Stewardship Woodland Tree Health grants.

Make a full application 

After your initial assessment and site visit, the Forestry Commission will send you the THP application pack. 

On the form, you’ll need to give detailed information about the trees and grants you want to apply for. 

Gather evidence to complete the application, for example, detailed maps and quotations.  

Contact the Forestry Commission at thpilotenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk if you need help with your application. 

If you make a mistake on your application form, the Forestry Commission will help you to make any corrections and resubmit it. 

Email your completed application form and supporting documents to thpilotenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk

Get a single business identifier (SBI) 

You’ll need to include a single business identifier (SBI) number on your application form. If you do not have an SBI, you’ll need to register on the Rural Payments service. 

You do not need to be applying as a business to get an SBI - you can register as an individual.

You do not need to register land you include in the THP scheme on the Rural Land Register.

After you’ve submitted an application 

Within 2 to 6 weeks of receiving your application, the Forestry Commission will tell you: 

  • if you were successful 
  • the amount of grant funding you’re able to claim 

If your application is successful, the Forestry Commission will send you an offer letter and a copy of the terms and conditions to sign. 

You must sign and return the agreement offer and terms and conditions by email or post by the date requested, to accept the grant offer. 

You can make a complaint or appeal against a Forestry Commission decision.

After you’ve signed your agreement 

After signing your agreement, you’ll need to: 

  1. Complete ‘Threats to your woodlands’ training, 3 short online webinars about biosecurity, tree health and mammal damage to trees and woodlands. Each webinar is about 30 minutes long. You’ll need to provide a copy of your certificate showing at least an 80% pass mark.  

  2. Fill in a biosecurity management plan, which explains what you’ll need to do to reduce the risk of spreading pests and diseases on the land you’re applying for. 

  3. Complete the works you’ve got the funding for, for example, to buy the goods, hire a contractor or do the work yourself.

  4. Keep detailed records and submit evidence that you’ve completed the work, for example receipts and photos. A woodland officer may also gather evidence during a visit. 

  5. The Forestry Commission will provide a THP claim form. Submit your completed form by emailing it to thpilotenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk

When you submit a claim: felling, chemical treatment and infrastructure 

For felling, chemical treatment and infrastructure grants you’ll need to submit a claim. Provide the Forestry Commission with: 

  • evidence of incurred expenditure to match your claim value 
  • details of income generated from the sale of your timber including evidence of sale or justification for why your timber was not sold

The Forestry Commission will assess this evidence to work out how much you’ll be paid for your claim, up to the value in your agreement. 

If your income exceeds your expenditure (no financial loss is incurred) you will not be able to claim any funding towards felling activities. You can read more information at Annex 2B in the Tree health pilot scheme: grant funding agreement terms and conditions. 

For all other grants, you only need to submit evidence of any purchased items with your claim form.

Submit an expression of interest form or return to the THP scheme guidance.

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