Guidance

How to apply for the tree health pilot scheme 2023

Updated 16 February 2024

This guidance was withdrawn on 4 March 2024

The tree health pilot (THP) scheme 2023 is now closed for new applications.

Read the latest information about applying to the current tree health pilot scheme which is open for applications.

Applies to England

If you want to apply for the Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN) advice package, you바카라 사이트™ll need to:

• read the SPHN advice package guidance
• fill in the SPHN advice package application form

For all other tree health pilot (THP) 2023 grants, follow the process in this guidance.

Expression of interest form

If you want to apply to the바카라 사이트¯tree health pilot (THP)바카라 사이트¯scheme as an individual or group, you바카라 사이트™ll need fill in the바카라 사이트¯expression of interest form. This is for applications for:

• larch, spruce and sweet chestnut바카라 사이트¯grants
• ash with ash dieback바카라 사이트¯grants
• oak with oak processionary moth (OPM)바카라 사이트¯grants바카라 사이트¯
• grants for restocking trees

Initial assessment and site visit

A Forestry Commission representative will contact you within 3 weeks of receiving your expression of interest form by email.

They바카라 사이트™ll consider whether you바카라 사이트™re eligible for the pilot scheme.

If you바카라 사이트™re likely to qualify for a grant, they바카라 사이트™ll arrange a pre-assessment site visit.

If you get an SPHN

During your initial assessment, a woodland officer may find a바카라 사이트¯바카라 사이트¯in your trees. The woodland officer might issue an SPHN, if you do not already have one.

If you receive an바카라 사이트¯SPHN, you바카라 사이트™re legally required to deal with the pest or disease problem you have.

This applies even if you do not receive funding as part of the THP.

Get eligibility confirmation

Based on an initial assessment and site visit, the Forestry Commission will advise you if you should submit a full application.

The바카라 사이트¯THP바카라 사이트¯scheme is competitive. The Forestry Commission score applications based on:

• how they바카라 사이트™ll contribute to research and learning
• how they바카라 사이트™re achieving positive plant health outcomes

Some non-competitive agreements will be available for sites under바카라 사이트¯SPHN바카라 사이트¯with eight-toothed spruce bark beetle. There are a limited number of these. When they run out, the Forestry Commission will score applications.

If you바카라 사이트™re not eligible to take part in the바카라 사이트¯THP바카라 사이트¯scheme, you may be able to apply for the바카라 사이트¯Countryside Stewardship Woodland Tree Health grant instead.

Make a full application

After your initial assessment and site visit, the Forestry Commission will send you the THP 2023 application pack.

On the form, you바카라 사이트™ll need to give detailed information about the trees and grants you want to apply for.

Gather evidence to complete the application, for example, detailed maps and quotations.

If you make a mistake on your application form, the Forestry Commission will ask you to make corrections and resubmit it.

Email your completed application form and supporting documents to:바카라 사이트¯thpilotenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk

Get a Single Business Identifier (SBI)

You바카라 사이트™ll need to include a Single Business Identifier (SBI) number on your application form.
If you do not have an SBI, you바카라 사이트™ll need to register on the Rural Payments service.

You do not need to be applying as a business to get an SBI - you can register as an individual.

You do not need to register land you include in the바카라 사이트¯THP바카라 사이트¯on the Rural Land Register.

After you바카라 사이트™ve submitted an application

Within 2 to 6 weeks of receiving your application, the Forestry Commission will tell you:

• if you were successful
• the amount of grant funding you바카라 사이트™re able to claim

If your application is successful, the Forestry Commission will send you an offer letter and a copy of the terms and conditions to sign.

You must sign and return the agreement offer and terms and conditions by email or post by the date requested, to accept the grant offer.

You can make a complaint or appeal against a Forestry Commission decision.바카라 사이트¯

After you바카라 사이트™ve signed your agreement

After signing your agreement, you바카라 사이트™ll need to:

1. Complete 바카라 사이트˜Threats to your woodlands바카라 사이트™ training, 3 short online webinars about biosecurity, tree health and mammal damages to trees and woodlands.

2. Fill in a biosecurity management plan, which explains what you바카라 사이트™ll need to do to reduce the risk of spreading pests and diseases on the land you바카라 사이트™re applying for.

3. Complete the works you바카라 사이트™ve got the funding for, for example, to buy the goods, hire a contractor or do the work yourself.

4. Keep detailed records and submit evidence that you바카라 사이트™ve completed the work, for example receipts and photos. A woodland officer may also gather evidence during a visit.

5. Complete the provided바카라 사이트¯THP바카라 사이트¯claim form by emailing it to바카라 사이트¯thpilotenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk

When you submit a claim: felling, chemical treatment and infrastructure

For felling, chemical treatment and infrastructure grants you바카라 사이트™ll need to submit a claim. Provide the Forestry Commission with:

• evidence of incurred expenditure to match your claim value
• details of income generated from the sale of your timber including evidence of sale or justification for why your timber was not sold

The Forestry Commission will assess this evidence to work out how much you바카라 사이트™ll be paid for your claim, up to the value in your agreement.

If your income exceeds your expenditure (no financial loss is incurred) you바카라 사이트™ll be:

• advised your sites are ineligible
• unable to claim any grant funding toward felling, chemical treatment and infrastructure costs

You can read more information at Annex 2B in the바카라 사이트¯Tree health pilot scheme: grant funding agreement terms and conditions.

For all other grants, you only need to submit evidence of any purchased items with your claim form.

Submit an expression of interest form or return to the THP scheme 2023 guidance.