Sheep and Trees Initiative

This funding package combines woodland creation and road infrastructure grants. 

This will help you maximise the benefits of new woodlands and improve access on the farm.

How Sheep and Trees can support your business 

New woodlands with clear goals, good design, and careful placement in hill and upland sheep farms can benefit your business in many ways, like:

• shelter, shade, and extended grazing season
• more manageable grazing units
• increased productivity, particularly on poorer-quality land
• retaining the same flock size while introducing trees as a new crop
• significantly improving on-farm access through the use of well-planned forest access roads
• reducing farming costs and maintaining income, leading to improved net income
• growing trees into a valuable capital asset and a future source of income

If you plant on eligible land, your new woodland creation will not impact your Basic Payment Scheme entitlements.

You can graze your new woodland when the trees are mature enough. Sometimes this can happen when the trees are around 10 years old, depending on the species and growth rate.

Note that, if you have previously been receiving Basic Payment Scheme entitlements for this new woodland, you will have to discuss the nature of your activity and/or the classifications of your land with Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID).