Frequently Asked Questions?

How much will the site visit cost?

Nothing! IndiWoods offers a FREE site consultation and during this we aim to look at your land and tell you whether your land will be eligible for a grant, plus we will give you and idea of the associated income and expenditure.

What do I need for the site visit?

A recent Farm Map would be ideal, together with information on ownership and current use of the fields in question. We will also need to know any designations or restrictions which may be on the land including historical sites and if you are in any other grant schemes.

Do I need to be present for the site visit?

Ideally this would be better, however if you are unable to be present on site, we can arrange to visit the site without you as long as we can obtain the relevant information prior to the site visit.

Do I need to be the owner? Can tenants apply?

Tenants can apply as long as they have written permission from the owner. Both landlord and Tenant will need to sign a consent form.

How much money will I get?

The grant income is £1850 per hectare, which is payable as 70% of the grant (£1295) on completion of the tree planting and the remaining 30% of the grant (£555) on the 5th Anniversary of the planting.

Will this cover the cost of the tree planting?

In most cases YES, the first instalment of grant covers the initial tree planting. Not all tree planting projects will cost the same as some may require rabbit guards if there is a mammal problem in the area and others may not. Also, some people may require the trees to be planted for them and others may wish to plant the trees themselves. Therefore planting projects which do not require rabbit guards and the owner wishes to plant the trees themselves will be much cheaper than other projects which require rabbit guards and labour to plant. However, even using the most expensive scenario, the grant covers the cost of the projects in 99% of cases.

How do I get an annual income and how much will it be?

If you qualify for a grant and you are planting a minimum area of 1 ha (which can be made up of smaller blocks) of agricultural land, then you may be eligible for an annual payment under the Farm Woodland Premium Scheme as compensation for loss of agricultural income.
The rates for the land change depending on whether you are lowland, improved or disadvantaged land. The highest rate you can get is on arable or improved grassland which is £270 per hectare and the lowest is £60 per hectare which is paid primarily on disadvantaged land. A site visit will determine your specific payments.

How many years do I get paid for?

The Farm Woodland Premium Scheme will be paid for 15 years on Broadleaf Woodlands and 10 years on Conifer Woodlands.

Who Owns the Trees?

YOU own the trees and you have a responsibility to look after them. There are conditions in the Forest Service contract that you maintain the woodland for up to 30 years.

Can I use the woodland for other agricultural activities?

NO. Firstly, any animals allowed into the woodland will damage the trees, even if the trees are guarded and secondly, if you are receiving Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (annual payments), this will be classed as double funding and is not allowed. This includes hens.

What is the smallest area I can plant?

To qualify for the maximum grants, the minimum area is 1 ha (2.47 acres) of agricultural land.

Can this be made up of smaller areas?

Yes. The smallest area can be 0.2 ha (0.5 acres) but must be at least 20 metres wide. The smallest area for a true Native Woodland is 0.5 hectare.

Can I claim the Forestry Grant and still claim the Single Farm Payment?

The answer to this is YES in most cases, however there are conditions and each project is site specific. This can be identified on your site visit and depends on your current entitlements and how you are currently using them.

When is the best time to apply for a grant?

The planting season commences November until end of March / early April every year therefore it is best to start thinking about and applying for grants any time from April / May onwards. The earlier you apply, the more time to have to organise and plant the woodland as you can’t plant without your project being approved and you are in receipt of a Forest Service contract.
How long does it take to get a Forest Service Contract?
In reality, this takes approximately 8 weeks but can take longer if there are queries on the land such as ownership details, land-use or designations.

Does IndiWoods apply for the Forest Grant for me?

IndiWoods offers a comprehensive service including the initial site visit, securing the grant on your behalf and liasing directly with DARD and the Forest Service. Following this we also organise all of trees, any guards required and labour if necessary. On completion of the project, we also claim the grant on your behalf and ensure the project is to the Forest Service standards.

Who plants the trees?

In the majority of cases IndiWoods plants the trees for our clients, however there are some people who would like to plant the trees themselves. In these cases, we will encourage this and will show you how to do it. If you run out of time and are unable to complete the planting, with sufficient notice, we can finish this off for you, at least giving you the chance to experience tree planting first hand. We also work with community groups and schools and include anyone who wishes to try tree planting themselves.

Who looks after the trees?

The legal responsibility is with the person who holds the Forest Service contract, however, IndiWoods can regularly monitor and / or spray your trees for you on an annual basis. Alternatively, you can take this project on yourselves, with IndiWoods as a back-up if you have any queries.

How do you look after the trees?

Once the trees are planted, the basic requirement to look after them is to ensure that they are weeded, which includes spraying around the trees with glyphosate (round-up) once or twice per year, depending on site conditions. This is only normally required for the first few years and every site is different, may need less or slightly more. Also, you will need to ensure that there is not a rabbit / hare / mammal problem on site damaging the trees or any threat from stock etc. Formative pruning can benefit future timber trees once the trees begin to grow.

When do you plant trees?

The planting season begins when the weather gets colder and the trees are dormant. This is usually the first week in November and is dependent on when the nurseries start to lift the trees. This continues all through winter and ends when the ground gets warmer and the trees are starting to come into bud. This is usually towards the end of March, some years it can extend into April if it is still cold.

When do you claim the grant?

The grant can be claimed once all of the trees have been planted and the project is competed to the specification on the Forest Service contract. The grant claim usually takes approximately 4 weeks to be paid and this is usually by cheque directly to the client. IndiWoods completes all of the grant claim forms on behalf of our clients.

What if I already have a Grant? Can IndiWoods carry out the planting for me?

YES, of course. If you have already secured a grant we can take on your project and organise as much or as little as you wish. We have several clients who have done this and this has worked very well. We can source all materials for you at very competitive prices and complete the project for you.