Native Woodland Scheme

The Native Woodland Conservation Scheme (NWS Conservation) aims to promote the protection and enhancement of Ireland’s native woodlands and biodiversity, by supporting the appropriate restoration of existing native woodlands and (where appropriate) the conversion of existing non-native forests to native woodland.

The table below details the level of support available under the NWC Scheme. As shown, details differ depending on the Applicant’s status. For example, private Applicants are eligible for a grant of up to €6,000 / ha payable over two separate instalments, while public Applicants are eligible for a grant of up to €3,000 / ha payable in a single instalment. Another detail is that the annual Payment for Ecosystem Services (which runs for 7 years) is only payable to private Applicants.

Note, the NWC Scheme is a cost-based scheme (exclusive of VAT) up to the maximum grant rates detailed in Grants and Premia Rates in Table 1 (below) for private and public Applicants.

Tree Establishment

Forest establishment is grant aided by the Department of Agriculture in Ireland. The Forest Service also provide the forest owner with annual income tax free payments for up to 20 years for farmers and 15 years for non-farmers as well as annual income-tax free premia. The forest owner’s payments depend on the species planted.

Forest Types

• FT1 – Native Forests:
  FT1 leads to the creation of new native forest to promote Native Forest biodiversity. Areas planted under FT1 can be managed for wood production using continuous cover forestry practices leading to minimal site disturbance while helping to increase onsite biodiversity.
  
  
• FT2 – Forests for water:
  FT2 comprises the establishment of new Native Forest in the protection of water and ecological important waterbodies.
  
  
• FT3 – Forest Creation on Public Lands:
  FT3 – Forest Creation on Public Lands is to encourage Public Bodies to establish new native forest on suitable land under their ownership and control. FT3 is specifically aimed at Public Bodies, including Government Departments and State Sponsored Organisations, Higher Education Authorities, and Local Authorities.
  
  
• FT4 – NeighbourWoods:
  FT4 funds the creation of new woodland designed to cater for forest recreation and education. This scheme is aimed at private landholders, working in partnership with local communities and local authorities.
  
  
• FT5 – Emergent Forest / Rewilding:
  Emergent Forests are areas that are dominated by trees and a scrub layer. These areas can be open or dense and impenetrable but present an important biodiversity feature with the potential for the creation of future ecosystems.
  
  
• FT6 – Broadleaf (Oak or Beech):
  These plots comprise of Oak and Beech with the aim of growing of high-quality broadleaves to produce quality hardwood timber. These species must be planted pure at a stocking rate of 2,500 stems/ha at a spacing of 2.0 x 2.0 metres.
  
  
• FT7 – Diverse Broadleaf:
  This forest type must be planted with an acceptable broadleaf species, other than oak/ beech. This FT is aimed at the growing of high-quality broadleaves to produce quality hardwood timber.

  All species must be planted pure at a stocking rate of 2,500 stems / ha and at a spacing of 2.0 x 2.0 metres.

• FT8 – Agroforestry:
  FT8 has been designed to create silvopastoral agroforestry systems which combine forestry and pasture on the same area of land. The measure will allow farmers to farm in a more sustainable way and continue with food production through agriculture.
  
  
• FT9 – Seed Orchards:
  The principle of this FT is to increase the quantity and quality of forest tree seed through support for establishment of seed orchards. A seed orchard is a forest stand of selected individual trees managed to produce superior individual trees which are planted together.

  The aim of Native Woodland Establishment is to support the creation of new native woodland on open ‘greenfield’ sites by farmers and other landowners, in order to promote the expansion of Ireland’s native woodland resource and associated biodiversity. Each new woodland must reflect the appropriate native woodland type (or types) identified during the application process as being the most ecologically appropriate for the site. Support is available in the form of a grant payment, and 20-year annual premium payments for farmers.

• FT10 – CCF – Continuous Cover Forestry:
  FT10 helps with the creation and establishment of forests which are suitably structured to be managed as continuous cover forests. These forests combine conservation and wood production, promote management strategies which optimises the utilisation of ecosystem services through sustainable forest management principles.
  
  
• FT11 – Mixed high forests: Diverse Conifer, minimum 20% broadleaves
  FT 11 comprised of a plot planted with conifer species other than Sitka spruce with a minimum 20% broadleaves contained within.

  The conifer species can be planted pure or intimately mixed throughout. The broadleaf content must be at least 20% of the total number of trees planted. All species must be planted at a stocking rate of 2,500 stems / ha on all sites and at a spacing of 2.0 x 2.0 metres.

• FT12 – Mixed high forests with Sitka Spruce, minimum 20% broadleaves
  FT12 is a plot of Sitka spruce plus a minimum of 20% broadleaves. This plot established under FT12 comprises an intimate mix of Sitka spruce and /or Lodgepole Pine together. The broadleaf content must be at least 20% by area. As per the conifer component the broadleaf species can be intimately mixed throughout the forest or planted in groups through the forest, or a combination of both (where silviculturally compatible with the main species).

  All species must be planted at a stocking rate of 2,500 stems / ha on all sites and at a spacing of 2.0 x 2.0 metres. Suitable broadleaf species that can be planted in FT12 plots are as per those species listed in Section 8.1, Table 8.4 of the Forestry Standards Manual. Other broadleaf species may also be considered on request.

• Native Tree Area Schemes: (NTA1 or NTA2)
  The aim of these schemes is to provide support for the creation of small native forests on farms. NTA 1 supports the creation of small woodlands om farmed land while NTA 2 supports the establishment of small woodlands adjacent to streams and rivers.

Grant and Premia Rates