Off-Cuts: New Grant for Small-scale Planting in the South of Scotland (FWN36 Spring 2021)

New Grant for Small-scale Planting in the South of Scotland

Residents of Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway can now apply for the South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant, worth up to £1000. This grant is for tree and woodland planting projects of less than 0.25ha, which are too small to be eligible for the Forestry Grant Scheme funding. The scheme provides support and financial assistance to plant individual trees or small clumps of trees for the benefit of people, communities and wildlife.

Examples of eligible projects include: trees in school playgrounds, small copses, field boundary trees, tree lines, parkland trees and orchards.

The planting will normally be of native species and be appropriate to the locality.

How much can I apply for?

We can give assistance in two different ways to suit the specific project:

Up to 100% of material costs (ie: for trees and appropriate shelters, guards, stakes, fencing, mulch mats etc) for private applications from farmers, landowners and individuals (excluding VAT if reclaimable)

Up to 100% of materials and labour costs for non-profit making organisations such as schools and community groups (including VAT if not reclaimable).

The maximum grant available is £1,000 per applicant per year.

This project is supported by Scottish Forestry, Woodland Trust Scotland, Scottish Borders Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund and private donations and is administered by Tweed Forum, Borders Forest Trust and the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership.

Who is eligible to apply?

The grant is open to any organisations or individuals who wish to carry out a small scale tree planting project that will enhance the landscape and biodiversity of the South of Scotland and make a contribution to improved public amenity.

This article has been published in the Spring 2021 edition of the Farm Woodland News.  Download a copy to access all articles.  Subscribe to receive newly published editions via email by using the form here.