Landowners and farmers across Wales can apply for enhanced tree planting grants from next week, with a new £825/ha incentive payment available for native broadleaf woodland creation.
The additional one off payment forms pert of the Welsh Government’s commitment to incentivise early tree planting through these enhanced payments over the next three years.
The £825 per hectare incentive comes alongside the newly refurbished Woodland Creation Grant rates, which pay up to £13,294/ha, depending on the planting option chosen.
The Woodland Creation Grant also includes 12 years maintenance and premium payments.
The enhanced payment is available for woodland planting that is predominantly native broadleaf, contains no more than 20% conifers, and delivers a minimum of 800 stems per hectare.
Applicants joining the Sustainable Farming Scheme are required to complete a tree and hedgerow planting opportunity plan, and to take on at least 0.1ha of planting by the end of 2028.
The Welsh government said that the support available under these tree planting grants are additional payments above the universal payment and are available to support tree planting and encourage planting beyond the minimum requirement.
Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies said: “This is an excellent opportunity for landowners and farmers to explore whether they have land which would benefit from additional tree planting, such as integrating shelterbelts or agroforestry to provide shade and shelter benefits to livestock.
“The payment recognises the ecosystem benefits delivered by native woodland, including improved biodiversity, carbon capture and air quality.”
The minister further said that the changes introduced for 2026 are designed to make woodland creation simpler, more flexible and better aligned with farm realities and delivering long-term environmental benefits.
The government stated that a major improvement this year is the introduction of new water-related capital items.
This includes infrastructure such as troughs, piping and water gates to support riparian planting.
This will enhance biodiversity and help protect watercourses from negative climate change impacts.
It will also provide a valuable buffer from agricultural operations to improve water quality.
Applications for woodland creation support will open again on March 4 2026, giving farmers across Wales a “renewed opportunity to bring forward tree planting proposals that work for their businesses”, the government said.
