WD3: Woodland edges on arable land
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the woodland edges on arable land option.
How much will be paid
£428 per hectare (ha)
Where to use this option
- Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier
- Only on arable land immediately adjacent to predominantly native or ancient semi-natural woodlands.
Where this option cannot be used
On historic or archaeological features
Related Mid Tier options
The following options can be located on the same area as this option.
- OR3 - Organic conversion - rotational land
- OR4 - Organic conversion - horticulture
- OT3 - Organic land management - rotational land
- OT4 - Organic land management - horticulture
How this option will benefit the environment
New woodland edge habitat will result in an increase in birds, invertebrates, small mammals and other wildlife.
Aims
If you’re selected for a site visit, we will check that delivery of the aims is being met and the prohibited activities have not been carried out. This will ensure the environmental benefits are being delivered.
Throughout the year there will be a strip of scrub and grass mosaic developing through natural regeneration between the arable land and existing woodland. The strip will be a maximum of 6m wide.
Prohibited activities
To achieve the aims and deliver the environmental benefits, do not carry out any of the following activities.
- Use pesticides, except for herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-natives, nettles and bracken
- Apply any fertilisers or manures
- Supplementary feed
- Cultivate within 6 metres (m) of the woodland edge
- Cut during the bird breeding season (1 March to 31 August)
- Cut more than a third of the shrubby growth in any one calendar year.
On your annual claim you will be asked to declare that you have not carried out any prohibited activities.
Recommended management
To assist you in achieving the aims and deliver the environmental benefits for this option, we recommend that you use best practice.
We recommend that you:
- allow the woodland edge to grow out for up to 6m
- only cut between 1 September and 28 February to maintain the scrub and grass mosaic and for the control of injurious weeds and invasive non-native species
Keeping records
Where there is uncertainty about whether the aims of the options have been delivered, we will take into account any records or evidence you may have kept demonstrating delivery of the aims of the option. This will include any steps you’ve taken to follow the recommended management set out above. It’s your responsibility to keep such records if you want to rely on these to support your claim.
- Field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices
- Stock records to show grazing activity on parcels
- Photographs of the management undertaken
Additional guidance and advice
The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.
The woodland edge should be encouraged to grow 6m out into the field, forming a scrub and grass mosaic. This mosaic should not be allowed to develop into secondary woodland but should be maintained through controlled grazing and/or cutting.
The option should be placed next to mainly native woodland, in particular ancient woodland, which may be under active or passive management. It may be used to enhance woodland within the holding, as well as woodland that immediately borders but is not part of the farm.
The option is also eligible where a ditch runs between the woodland and the arable field. It may not be practical, however, if the ditch requires continuous management or maintenance. Special care is needed to ensure that historic features such as woodbanks are undamaged.
The woodland next to this option may receive funding under woodland options but there must be no overlap. Buffer strip options may also be located next to this option.
The woodlands located next to this option may be home to European Protected Species, which could migrate into the scrub and grass land mosaic created. Young scrub, for example, is ideal habitat for dormice.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
This option can form part of an IPM approach to prevent the establishment of pests, weeds and diseases. If successful, appropriate and within proximity of cropped areas, these may limit the need for the use of Plant Protection Products and enhance wildlife and biodiversity on your holding. Read information on IPM at AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) Integrated Pest Management and LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming).
Biodiversity
This option has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.
The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.
Further information
Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier and Higher Tier including how to apply.
Last updated 4 January 2024 + show all updates
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Update to How Much Is Paid
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New payment rate from 1 January 2022.
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Additional guidance and advice section updated - this option can form part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to prevent the establishment of pests, weeds and diseases.
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'Air quality' added to Land use.
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Option updated for agreements starting 1 January 2022
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From 1 January 2019, this option cannot be used on land already receiving funding for Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs) declared for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).
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Updated for 2017 applications.
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Information updated for application in 2016.
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First published.