{"analytics_identifier":null,"base_path":"/countryside-stewardship-grants/scrub-control-and-felling-diseased-trees-sb1","content_id":"8d64411f-036a-474b-8569-a1a1c3968e62","description":"Find out about eligibility and requirements for the scrub control and felling diseased trees item.","details":{"body":"<div class=\"example\">\n  <p>This item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026. You must read the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-tier-capital-grants-2026\">Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026 guidance</a> to understand the rules and how to apply.<br><br>\nIf you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht\">CSHT applicant’s guide</a> to understand the rules and how to apply.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-much-youll-be-paid\">How much you’ll be paid </h2>\n\n<p>You’ll need to use the following codes when applying for different specifications for this capital item.</p>\n\n<table>\n  <thead>\n    <tr>\n      <th scope=\"col\">Application code</th>\n      <th scope=\"col\">Method of removal</th>\n      <th scope=\"col\">Stem diameter (in centimetres (cm)</th>\n      <th scope=\"col\">Percentage covered per hectare (ha)</th>\n      <th scope=\"col\">Payment per ha</th>\n    </tr>\n  </thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <th scope=\"row\">SB1A</th>\n      <td>Machine cut</td>\n      <td>Less than 7cm</td>\n      <td>Under 50%</td>\n      <td>£375</td>\n    </tr>\n    <tr>\n      <th scope=\"row\">SB1B</th>\n      <td>Machine cut</td>\n      <td>Less than 7cm</td>\n      <td>50% and over</td>\n      <td>£750</td>\n    </tr>\n    <tr>\n      <th scope=\"row\">SB1C</th>\n      <td>Machine cut</td>\n      <td>7cm and above</td>\n      <td>Under 50%</td>\n      <td>£750</td>\n    </tr>\n    <tr>\n      <th scope=\"row\">SB1D</th>\n      <td>Machine cut</td>\n      <td>7cm and above</td>\n      <td>50% and over</td>\n      <td>£1,500</td>\n    </tr>\n    <tr>\n      <th scope=\"row\">SB1E</th>\n      <td>Manual cut</td>\n      <td>Not applicable</td>\n      <td>Under 50%</td>\n      <td>£1,408.75</td>\n    </tr>\n    <tr>\n      <th scope=\"row\">SB1F</th>\n      <td>Manual cut</td>\n      <td>Not applicable</td>\n      <td>50% and over</td>\n      <td>£2,424.20</td>\n    </tr>\n  </tbody>\n</table>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-this-item-benefits-the-environment\">How this item benefits the environment</h2>\n\n<p>This item:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>restores or maintains priority habitats</li>\n  <li>protects historic or archaeological features</li>\n  <li>prevents disease spreading from infected sites to the wider environment</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"where-you-can-use-this-item\">Where you can use this item </h2>\n\n<p>You can use this item:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>as part of a <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/woodland-tree-health-grants-2026\">Woodland Tree Health grant</a>\n</li>\n  <li>to control or manage scrub with the agreement of Natural England or the Forestry Commission</li>\n  <li>to remove immature trees that could spread disease, and you cannot fell them economically (with the agreement of the Forestry Commission)</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You can also use this item on the same area as <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/stump-grinding-te12\">TE12: Stump grinding</a>, <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cwd2-woodland-improvement\">CWD2: Woodland improvement</a> and <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/woodland-improvement-wd2\">WD2: Woodland improvement</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"what-you-must-do-to-use-this-item\">What you must do to use this item</h2>\n\n<p>You must agree with your adviser:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>when to carry out the work</li>\n  <li>whether to cut by hand or machine</li>\n  <li>what to do with stumps</li>\n  <li>how to dispose of cut material</li>\n  <li>how to control regrowth and harmful weeds</li>\n  <li>how to fell all diseased trees within an agreed area</li>\n  <li>how to remove non-symptomatic trees to reduce the risk of disease</li>\n  <li>what biosecurity measures to use to avoid transferring disease to other sites</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You must get any relevant consents before you carry out any work either:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>a felling licence from the Forestry Commission</li>\n  <li>consent from Natural England to use the item on a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)</li>\n  <li>consent from Historic England to use the item on a scheduled monument</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"evidence-you-must-keep\">Evidence you must keep </h2>\n\n<p>You must keep and provide with your claim:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>photographs of the completed work</li>\n  <li>a felling licence from the Forestry Commission (if required)</li>\n  <li>consent from Natural England to use the item on a SSSI</li>\n  <li>consent from Historic England to use the item on a scheduled monument</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You must also keep and provide on request:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>any consents or permissions connected with the work (in addition to the ones listed above)</li>\n  <li>consent from Natural England to use the item on a SSSI</li>\n  <li>consent from Historic England to use the item on a scheduled monument</li>\n  <li>receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable</li>\n  <li>records of when the scrub control was carried out</li>\n  <li>a record of any pesticide or herbicide treatments (including dates and locations)</li>\n  <li>a woodland management plan indicating the need for scrub control if the scrub control takes place in woodland – this does not apply to diseased trees</li>\n  <li>an implementation plan or feasibility study setting out the need for scrub control (if applicable)</li>\n  <li>photographs of the trees or scrub (before works start)</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agreement-holders-guide-capital-grants-higher-tier-capital-grants-and-protection-and-infrastructure-grants-2026\">Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants</a> for more information.</p>\n\n<p>If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht\">CSHT agreement holder’s guide</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"advice-to-help-you-use-this-item\">Advice to help you use this item</h2>\n\n<p>The following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements. </p>\n\n<h3 id=\"definitions-of-scrub-diseased-trees-and-immature-trees\">Definitions of scrub, diseased trees and immature trees</h3>\n\n<p>Scrub means any woody shrubs including European gorse, bramble and young trees. It does not include dwarf or western gorse, so you cannot use this item to control those species.</p>\n\n<p>To be eligible under this grant, diseased trees are defined as:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>immature Larch infected with Phytophthora ramorum subject to a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN)</li>\n  <li>immature Douglas Fir or Western Hemlock infected with Phytophthora pluvialis subject to a Statutory Plant Health Notice</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>An immature tree is one that’s up to 25 years old.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"using-this-item\">Using this item</h3>\n\n<p>You can use this item:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>if scrub is encroaching on to species-rich grassland</li>\n  <li>around archaeological sites or historic features</li>\n  <li>if species that depend on managed scrub are present (for example, turtle dove and brown hairstreak)</li>\n  <li>within woodland to create permanent or temporary open areas</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>With this item, you can cut scrub or trees manually or with a machine.</p>\n\n<p>You can carry out:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>manual removal on foot, with a clearing saw or chainsaw</li>\n  <li>machine cutting from a cab and by a tractor fitted with a flail</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"removing-scrub\">Removing scrub</h3>\n\n<p>To remove scrub, you should:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>cut scrub to ground level</li>\n  <li>use <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/stump-grinding-te12\">TE12: Stump grinding</a> where needed</li>\n  <li>leave roots undisturbed</li>\n  <li>not leave protruding stems</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Keep the site free of scrub for the rest of the agreement.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"what-to-do-with-diseased-trees\">What to do with diseased trees</h3>\n\n<p>If you have a Statutory Plant Health Notice for diseased trees, you must follow the guidance that comes with the notice for this. If there is not a Statutory Plant Health Notice, fell all infected trees in the contract area and follow the <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.forestryengland.uk/sites/default/files/pdf/Biosecurity%20Policy.pdf\">Forestry Commissions’ biosecurity guidance.</a></p>\n","change_history":[{"note":"Added the codes you'll need to use when applying for different rates for this capital item.","public_timestamp":"2025-09-15T12:16:16Z"},{"note":"General improvement for clarity.","public_timestamp":"2025-02-03T11:56:18Z"},{"note":"Text in 'Where to use this item' section has been updated. ","public_timestamp":"2024-05-15T12:29:49Z"},{"note":"This item is now available for Higher Tier Capital Grants","public_timestamp":"2023-02-13T15:43:22Z"},{"note":"The Definitions of scrub, diseased trees and immature trees section has been updated","public_timestamp":"2022-12-19T16:40:33Z"},{"note":"Additional guidance and advice section added to explain this option can form part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to prevent the establishment of pests, weeds and diseases.","public_timestamp":"2022-02-01T17:21:20Z"},{"note":"The Keeping records section of this page has been updated","public_timestamp":"2020-02-11T17:48:21Z"},{"note":"Updated for 2017 applications.","public_timestamp":"2017-03-08T17:20:38Z"},{"note":"Information updated for applications in 2016","public_timestamp":"2016-03-29T15:15:24Z"},{"note":"First published.","public_timestamp":"2015-04-02T10:48:38Z"}],"headers":[{"id":"how-much-youll-be-paid","level":2,"text":"How much you'll be paid "},{"id":"how-this-item-benefits-the-environment","level":2,"text":"How this item benefits the environment"},{"id":"where-you-can-use-this-item","level":2,"text":"Where you can use this item "},{"id":"what-you-must-do-to-use-this-item","level":2,"text":"What you must do to use this item"},{"id":"evidence-you-must-keep","level":2,"text":"Evidence you must keep "},{"headers":[{"id":"definitions-of-scrub-diseased-trees-and-immature-trees","level":3,"text":"Definitions of scrub, diseased trees and immature trees"},{"id":"using-this-item","level":3,"text":"Using this item"},{"id":"removing-scrub","level":3,"text":"Removing scrub"},{"id":"what-to-do-with-diseased-trees","level":3,"text":"What to do with diseased trees"}],"id":"advice-to-help-you-use-this-item","level":2,"text":"Advice to help you use this item"}],"max_cache_time":10,"metadata":{"grant_type":"capital-item","land_use":["priority-habitats","uplands","vegetation-control","woodland"]},"temporary_update_type":false},"document_type":"countryside_stewardship_grant","first_published_at":"2015-04-02T11:48:38+01:00","links":{"available_translations":[{"api_path":"/api/content/countryside-stewardship-grants/scrub-control-and-felling-diseased-trees-sb1","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/countryside-stewardship-grants/scrub-control-and-felling-diseased-trees-sb1","base_path":"/countryside-stewardship-grants/scrub-control-and-felling-diseased-trees-sb1","content_id":"8d64411f-036a-474b-8569-a1a1c3968e62","document_type":"countryside_stewardship_grant","links":{},"locale":"en","public_updated_at":"2025-09-15T12:16:16Z","schema_name":"specialist_document","title":"SB1: Scrub control and felling diseased trees","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/scrub-control-and-felling-diseased-trees-sb1","withdrawn":false}],"finder":[{"api_path":"/api/content/capital-grant-finder","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/capital-grant-finder","base_path":"/capital-grant-finder","content_id":"0eb7b150-879a-4c44-becc-718e23a77e2c","details":{"facets":[{"allowed_values":[{"label":"Capital item","value":"capital-item"},{"label":"Supplement","value":"supplement"}],"display_as_result_metadata":false,"filterable":true,"key":"grant_type","name":"Grant type","preposition":"of type","type":"text"},{"allowed_values":[{"label":"Air quality","value":"air-quality"},{"label":"Arable land","value":"arable-land"},{"label":"Biodiversity","value":"biodiversity"},{"label":"Boundaries","value":"boundaries"},{"label":"Coast","value":"coast"},{"label":"Educational access","value":"educational-access"},{"label":"Flood risk","value":"flood-risk"},{"label":"Grassland","value":"grassland"},{"label":"Historic environment","value":"historic-environment"},{"label":"Livestock management","value":"livestock-management"},{"label":"Organic land","value":"organic-land"},{"label":"Priority habitats","value":"priority-habitats"},{"label":"Trees (non-woodland)","value":"trees-non-woodland"},{"label":"Uplands","value":"uplands"},{"label":"Vegetation control","value":"vegetation-control"},{"label":"Water quality","value":"water-quality"},{"label":"Pollinators and wildlife","value":"wildlife-package"},{"label":"Woodland","value":"woodland"}],"display_as_result_metadata":false,"filterable":true,"key":"land_use","name":"Areas of interest","preposition":"with","type":"text"}],"index_documents_in_search_engines":true,"show_metadata_block":true,"show_table_of_contents":true},"document_type":"finder","links":{},"locale":"en","public_updated_at":"2026-04-09T09:03:44Z","schema_name":"finder","title":"Capital grant finder","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/capital-grant-finder","withdrawn":false}],"organisations":[{"analytics_identifier":"EA58","api_path":"/api/content/government/organisations/rural-payments-agency","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/government/organisations/rural-payments-agency","base_path":"/government/organisations/rural-payments-agency","content_id":"e8fae147-6232-4163-a3f1-1c15b755a8a4","details":{"acronym":"RPA","brand":"department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs","default_news_image":null,"logo":{"crest":"single-identity","formatted_title":"Rural Payments <br/>Agency"},"organisation_govuk_status":{"status":"live","updated_at":null,"url":null}},"document_type":"organisation","links":{},"locale":"en","schema_name":"organisation","title":"Rural Payments Agency","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/rural-payments-agency","withdrawn":false},{"analytics_identifier":"PB202","api_path":"/api/content/government/organisations/natural-england","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/government/organisations/natural-england","base_path":"/government/organisations/natural-england","content_id":"d3ce4ba7-bc75-46b4-89d9-38cb3240376d","details":{"acronym":"Natural England","brand":"department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs","default_news_image":{"high_resolution_url":"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a37db31ed915d5a62fdc781/s960_natural-england6.jpg","url":"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a37db3140f0b649cceb18c9/s300_natural-england6.jpg"},"logo":{"crest":"custom","formatted_title":"Natural England","image":{"alt_text":"Natural England","url":"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68f217cbe8e4040c38a3cffb/NE-logo2.png"}},"organisation_govuk_status":{"status":"live","updated_at":null,"url":null}},"document_type":"organisation","links":{},"locale":"en","schema_name":"organisation","title":"Natural England","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england","withdrawn":false}],"primary_publishing_organisation":[{"analytics_identifier":"EA58","api_path":"/api/content/government/organisations/rural-payments-agency","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/government/organisations/rural-payments-agency","base_path":"/government/organisations/rural-payments-agency","content_id":"e8fae147-6232-4163-a3f1-1c15b755a8a4","details":{"acronym":"RPA","brand":"department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs","default_news_image":null,"logo":{"crest":"single-identity","formatted_title":"Rural Payments <br/>Agency"},"organisation_govuk_status":{"status":"live","updated_at":null,"url":null}},"document_type":"organisation","links":{},"locale":"en","schema_name":"organisation","title":"Rural Payments Agency","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/rural-payments-agency","withdrawn":false}],"taxons":[{"api_path":"/api/content/environment/countryside","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/environment/countryside","base_path":"/environment/countryside","content_id":"9129d716-365b-44ba-9856-383423fe1e41","details":{"internal_name":"Countryside [M]","notes_for_editors":"","visible_to_departmental_editors":false},"document_type":"taxon","links":{"parent_taxons":[{"api_path":"/api/content/environment/rural-and-countryside","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/environment/rural-and-countryside","base_path":"/environment/rural-and-countryside","content_id":"9949c2c1-ff96-4b4f-b584-c700e316c9de","details":{"internal_name":"Rural and countryside (merged, level 2)","notes_for_editors":"","visible_to_departmental_editors":false},"document_type":"taxon","links":{"parent_taxons":[{"api_path":"/api/content/environment","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/environment","base_path":"/environment","content_id":"3cf97f69-84de-41ae-bc7b-7e2cc238fa58","description":"","details":{"internal_name":"Environment","notes_for_editors":"","visible_to_departmental_editors":true},"document_type":"taxon","links":{"root_taxon":[{"api_path":"/api/content/","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/","base_path":"/","content_id":"f3bbdec2-0e62-4520-a7fd-6ffd5d36e03a","document_type":"homepage","links":{},"locale":"en","public_updated_at":"2026-02-18T13:00:23Z","schema_name":"homepage","title":"GOV.UK homepage","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/","withdrawn":false}]},"locale":"en","phase":"live","public_updated_at":"2018-09-16T13:39:00Z","schema_name":"taxon","title":"Environment","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/environment","withdrawn":false}]},"locale":"en","phase":"live","public_updated_at":"2018-09-05T16:13:10Z","schema_name":"taxon","title":"Rural and countryside","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/environment/rural-and-countryside","withdrawn":false}]},"locale":"en","phase":"live","public_updated_at":"2018-09-05T16:13:11Z","schema_name":"taxon","title":"Countryside","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/environment/countryside","withdrawn":false}]},"locale":"en","phase":"live","public_updated_at":"2025-09-15T13:16:16+01:00","publishing_app":"specialist-publisher","publishing_request_id":"21-1768299909.260-10.13.21.167-2329","publishing_scheduled_at":null,"rendering_app":"frontend","scheduled_publishing_delay_seconds":null,"schema_name":"specialist_document","title":"SB1: Scrub control and felling diseased trees","updated_at":"2026-08-17T11:25:55+01:00","withdrawn_notice":{}}