Native Woodland Planting

The Native woodland afforestation scheme is aimed specifically at promoting the proactive protection and expansion of Ireland’s native woodland resource. These native woodland measures represents a key biodiversity component within Ireland’s national forest policy.

The Native Woodland afforestation scheme also supports a wide range of other benefits and functions arising from native woodlands, relating to landscape, cultural heritage, wood and non-wood products and services, the practice of traditional woodland management techniques, environmental education, and carbon sequestration. 

This Native Woodland Establishment (as represented by Grant & Premium Categories (GPCs) 9 and 10 under the Afforestation Grant & Premium Scheme), which funds the establishment of new native woodland on open ‘greenfield’ sites. 

As per the Native Woodland Afforestation grant the 1st installment grant( 75% of the total grant) is paid on the successful establishment of the site. The 2nd instalment is payable in year 4 (i.e. 48 months) after the date of completion of the project, subject to satisfactory maintenance of the woodland.

Premiums are paid annually depending on size of plantation and species planted up to a maximum of € 665 per hectare payable for 15 years.

Native Woodland Establishment GPC9 & GPC10 has an overriding ecological focus, demonstrated by, for example, its emphasis on minimal site disturbance, species selection based on the most appropriate native woodland type, the use of native planting stock, and long-term ‘close-to-nature’ management. With this focus, this measure creates opportunities for landowners within environmentally-sensitive areas to create woodlands which have the potential for wood production and income generation, and which also contribute towards addressing the various environmental sensitivities involved (e.g. NATURA sites, Acid Sensitive Areas, high status waterbodies, fisheries sensitive areas and Freshwater Pearl Mussel catchments). This is achieved through cooperation between the owners, foresters, the Forest Service and other statutory bodies and scheme partners, and the application of the Forest Service Appropriate Assessment Procedure and other safeguards.

Please contact us for more details.