Money Grows on Trees

The Forest Service has recently revised its Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS) and its Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS). Both WGS and FWPS have been amended to provide potential growers with a simpler application process and a more streamlined range of payment rates.

In addition, a number of previously supplementary payments have been incorporated into the standard grants, and two-tier payments have been removed to encourage the establishment of larger blocks of woodland.

A spokesman for the Forest Service said: “It is felt that these revisions to the previous schemes are a positive step towards expanding the area of woodland in Northern Ireland, which is lacking in woodland cover compared to most other European countries.

“The changes are designed to encourage all landowners to re-consider forestry as a credible alternative to agriculture and to realise the many benefits offered by the creation of more woodland.

“As everyone is aware, climate change is a huge issue at this time. The positive contribution forests make to combating global warming has long been recognised. In recognition of this, and to support a developing renewable energy market in Northern Ireland, the Forest Service, under the WGS, will offer grant aid for the establishment of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) Willow crops which will be used to produce energy and heat across Northern Ireland, as well as supporting the growing of more traditional woodlands. “

All types of forest, from conventional plantations to small mixed woodlands, offer a huge amount of environmental and social benefits while at the same time, potentially providing a commercial return to owners.

The WGS provides money to landowners for planting trees on areas of 0.2ha or more. In addition, farmed areas of 1.0ha or more may be eligible for longer-term annual payments under FWPS, which is designed to compensate for loss of earnings as a result of removing land from agriculture.

Another benefit of planting woodlands on farmland is that, in some cases, it is possible to use the woodland area to meet Set-aside requirements.

Farmers, landowners, public or private sector organizations, can all play a part in tree planting and the creation of forests in Northern Ireland.

For further details of WGS/FWPS 2007 you can visit the Forest Service website www.forestserviceni.gov.uk or contact the Private Woodlands Unit, Room 23, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SB. Tel: (028) 9076 5391.