Deadline: 31-Dec-2026
The Woodland Tree Health Grant Programme, administered by the Rural Payments Agency, provides financial support to restore or improve woodland affected by serious tree health problems in England. The programme includes Restoration and Improvement grants to help land managers remove infected trees and replant woodland, with funding available for approved capital works completed within a three-year agreement period.
Overview
The Woodland Tree Health (WTH) Grant Programme supports woodland owners and managers in England to recover from tree health outbreaks and prevent further spread of harmful diseases.
The scheme focuses on restoring woodland after tree felling caused by disease and improving woodland condition through the removal of infected trees and rhododendron. It is delivered by the Rural Payments Agency, with site assessments carried out by Forestry Commission woodland officers to ensure suitability.
Types of Woodland Tree Health Grants
WTH Restoration Grant
The WTH Restoration grant supports restocking woodland that has been felled due to a tree health issue.
This grant is intended to help re-establish woodland structure and long-term resilience following disease-related tree loss.
WTH Improvement Grant
The WTH Improvement grant supports the removal of trees and rhododendron infected with specific regulated diseases, including:
- Phytophthora ramorum
- Phytophthora pluvialis
- Phytophthora kernoviae
This grant helps reduce the spread of disease and protect surrounding woodland.
Applying for One or Both Grants
Applicants may apply for the Restoration grant, the Improvement grant, or both together.
A Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess the site to confirm that the selected grant options are appropriate.
How the Grant Works
Once a Woodland Tree Health grant agreement is issued, applicants have three years to complete all approved capital works.
Payments can only be claimed for work completed within this three-year period. Any work carried out after the agreement end date is not eligible for payment.
The Woodland Tree Health grants can be used alongside other capital grants, including other woodland capital grant schemes, provided there is no duplication of funding.
What the Grant Can and Cannot Fund
Eligible Costs
Funding supports approved capital works directly related to woodland restoration or disease control, as confirmed in the grant agreement.
Ineligible Costs
The grants cannot be used to pay for:
- Capital works completed before the agreement start date
- Materials purchased before the agreement start date
- Planning or transactional fees
- Agent or advisory fees
- Costs associated with meeting legal requirements, including planning conditions or tenancy obligations
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility is open to individuals and organisations that have management control of the land, including:
- Owner occupiers
- Tenants
- Landlords
- Licensors
Applicants must be able to meet all grant obligations for the full duration of the agreement.
Land Eligibility Requirements
All land entered into a Woodland Tree Health grant agreement must:
- Be located entirely within England
- Meet the definition of woodland, including minimum requirements for:
- Area
- Width
- Tree height
- Crown cover
Only the area of woodland affected by tree health issues needs to be included.
The total value of works funded under the agreement must be at least £500.
Land entered into the WTH Restoration grant must also meet additional minimum area requirements.
Land That Is Not Eligible
The following land types are not eligible for support:
- Developed land or hard standing
- Land subject to incompatible legal or contractual obligations
- Land within the HS2 route safeguarding zone
- Land owned or managed by Crown bodies or non-departmental public bodies
Some public body land, such as land owned by local authorities or parish councils, may be eligible where the work does not form part of statutory duties.
Management Control and Duration Requirements
Applicants must have management control of the land for five years from the agreement start date.
This includes responsibility for:
- Completing all required activities
- Maintaining funded capital items for the five-year durability period
- Using funded items only for the approved purpose
If full management control is not held, applicants must secure:
- A countersignature from the landlord, or
- Written consent from all parties with management control of the land
Rules for Tenants, Landlords, and Licensees
Specific eligibility rules apply depending on land tenure arrangements.
Licensees are generally not eligible unless the licence effectively provides tenant-like management responsibilities for the required duration.
Partnerships, licensors, and licensees must demonstrate sufficient and continuous management control to meet all grant conditions.
Funding Compatibility and Restrictions
The Woodland Tree Health grants cannot be used for:
- Work required under other legally binding obligations
- Activities already funded through other public funding sources
Compatibility checks are carried out where land is already part of another scheme.
Funded work must not duplicate existing funding or breach the conditions of other agreements.
Why the Woodland Tree Health Grant Matters
Tree diseases pose a serious risk to woodland health, biodiversity, and long-term environmental resilience.
This grant programme helps land managers act quickly to control disease, restore woodland, and protect the wider landscape while reducing the financial burden of essential recovery work.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Starting work or buying materials before the grant agreement begins
Applying for funding on land outside England
Including costs such as agent fees or planning expenses
Failing to demonstrate five years of management control
Overlapping funded activities with other public grant schemes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I apply for both the Restoration and Improvement grants?
Yes. You can apply for either grant individually or for both together, subject to site assessment approval.
2. How long do I have to complete the funded work?
You have three years from the agreement start date to complete all approved work.
3. Can I use this grant alongside other woodland grants?
Yes, provided the funded work does not duplicate or conflict with other grant agreements.
4. Is tenant-managed land eligible?
Yes, as long as the tenant has management control for five years or has written landlord consent.
5. Are public bodies eligible to apply?
Some public bodies may be eligible, but Crown bodies and non-departmental public bodies are not.
6. Can I claim costs incurred before the agreement starts?
No. Any work or purchases made before the agreement start date are not eligible for payment.
7. What is the minimum grant value?
The total value of funded works must be at least £500.
Conclusion
The Woodland Tree Health Grant Programme provides targeted financial support to help woodland owners and managers in England respond to serious tree health threats. By funding restoration and disease control activities, the programme supports healthier, more resilient woodlands while ensuring public funding is used effectively and responsibly.
For more information, visit GOV.UK.
