What the action involves
This action’s aim is that you maintain woodland created under the former Countryside Stewardship (CS) Woodland Creation grant – the grant is now closed. This action will support newly planted trees to become established in a healthy condition.
The purpose is to maintain new woodland to:
- successfully establish woodland after 15 years
- support wildlife, by linking habitats together or providing a protective buffer between them
- reduce the risk of floods, improve water quality and prevent soil erosion
- be resilient and adapt to climate change
- enhance the landscape
What you must do
Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.
To get paid for this action, you must:
- replace any newly planted trees that die
- maintain fences, tree shelters and spiral guards
- maintain areas of open space such as woodland rides
- remove and dispose of tree guards once the trees are established and by the last year of your agreement
- keep all newly planted trees free from competing vegetation for 15 years by using approved herbicides, mulch or a clearing saw, hook or scythe
You must not use herbicides on land next to a watercourse.
When to do it
You must do this action each year of its duration.
Evidence to keep
You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.
You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:
- photographs showing the level of maintenance in years 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 15
- bank statements, receipted invoices, consents or permissions connected with the work
- records of management activity on the option area for each parcel
Where you can do it
You must have completed tree planting under your CS Woodland Creation grant before you can carry out this action. The Forestry Commission will invite you to apply for this action when tree planting capital works are complete.
You can still apply to create woodland through the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO). Annual maintenance payments for EWCO are available as part of that offer. Read the EWCO Grant Manual for further details.
Eligible land
You can do this action on land that’s:
- an eligible land type
- registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
- declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover which is compatible with the eligible land cover
Available area
Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.
Rotational or static
This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.
Consents and permissions
To apply for this action, you’ll need:
- Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
- consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
You may need to:
- get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
- apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
- get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).
If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.
Capital grants that support it
You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Forestry Commission woodland officer will discuss eligible capital items with you.
