Trees for Climate Fund
Eligibility
What we can fund, and what your project needs to qualify.
The fund at a glance
Trees for Climate Fund
Our service helps you from start to finish, and the fund aims to cover 100% of the costs of planning, planting and maintaining woodland creation projects.
Up to 100%
of costs covered
The fund aims to cover the full cost of planning, planting and maintenance.
15 years
agreement length
Agreements are in place for 15 years. After this, they may be covered by the Forestry Act 1967.
0.1 ha
minimum size
There’s no maximum size. This must be NEW planting – we cannot plant in existing woodland.
20%
canopy cover
Planting density must achieve at least 20% canopy cover of the gross area at maturity.
What types of planting are covered?
- Hedgerows
- Woodland planting
- Shelterbelts
- Wood pasture and agroforestry
- Natural regeneration
Combining with other funding
The fund CAN be stacked with private funding, such as the Woodland Carbon Code.
It CANNOT be stacked with the English Woodland Creation Offer, Biodiversity Net Gain, Countryside Stewardship or the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
Hedgerows
Hedgerow rules
We fund new hedgerows, provided they meet these minimum lengths:
✓
100 m or more with standards
A hedge that includes standards (trees left to grow to full height within the hedge) must be at least 100 metres long.
✓
200 m or more for hedge plants only
A hedge made up only of hedge plants must be at least 200 metres long.
✕
Gapping up isn’t eligible
We can’t fund filling gaps in existing hedgerows.
What we can pay for
Eligible items
The fund can cover a wide range of costs across your project.
Planting & site works
- Trees, tree guards, fencing and any associated supplies and equipment
- Woodland establishment operations and maintenance activities
- Site infrastructure: access and egress, seating, structures
- Access, interpretation and signage
- Natural Flood Management (NFM) interventions
- Interventions to enhance biodiversity and manage non-woodland areas
Planning & delivery
- Surveys, technical studies and reports supporting planning and consenting
- Project delivery management
- Land acquisition and related conveyancing and legal costs
- Payments to secure ongoing delivery of ecosystem services
- Non-recoverable VAT
- Consumables and welfare items
People & communities
- Communications material, on site and in communities
- Community engagement costs, events and materials
- Volunteer training and expenses
Not sure if your site qualifies?
Tell us about your land and we’ll talk you through the options. It’s free to ask.