{"analytics_identifier":null,"base_path":"/countryside-stewardship-grants/tree-guard-wood-post-and-wire-te8","content_id":"6e48e6d6-85cc-46da-aac7-33d126c19f8e","description":"Find out about eligibility and requirements for the tree guard (post and wire) item.","details":{"body":"<div class=\"example\">\n  <p>This item is part of Capital Grants 2026. You must read the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-grants-2026\">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>£74.74 per guard</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-this-item-benefits-the-environment\">How this item benefits the environment</h2>\n\n<p>This item protects trees from damage caused by grazing animals and wild animals.</p>\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 on trees where you have land under a habitat management, restoration or creation action or option.  </p>\n\n<p>You can also use this item in a <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-tier-capital-grants-2026\">Higher Tier Capital Grant</a> with <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/af1-plant-an-agroforestry-woodland-tree\">AF1: Plant an agroforestry woodland tree</a> or <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/af2-plant-an-agroforestry-fruit-tree\">AF2: Plant an agroforestry fruit tree</a> (with the agreement of the Forestry Commission or Natural England).</p>\n\n<p>You can use this item when planting trees with these capital items:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/planting-standard-hedgerow-tree-te1\">TE1: Planting standard hedgerow tree</a></li>\n  <li><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/planting-standard-parkland-tree-te2\">TE2: Planting standard parkland tree</a></li>\n  <li><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/planting-fruit-trees-te3\">TE3: Planting fruit trees</a></li>\n  <li><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/supply-and-plant-tree-te4\">TE4: Supply and plant tree</a></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You cannot use this item with:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/tree-guard-wood-post-and-rail-te7\">TE7: Tree guard (large post and rail)</a></li>\n  <li><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/capital-grant-finder/te19-tree-guard-narrow-weld-mesh\">TE19: Tree guard (narrow weld mesh)</a></li>\n</ul>\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:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>erect tree guards at least 1.5 metres (<abbr title=\"metres\">m</abbr>) high with posts placed far enough apart that grazing animals cannot reach within 30 centimetres (<abbr title=\"centimetres\">cm</abbr>) of the tree stem</li>\n  <li>design the tree guard to allow access for formative pruning, applying mulch and clearing vegetation around the base of each tree</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You must construct the tree guards in one of 2 ways.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"option-1\">Option 1</h3>\n\n<p>The tree guard must have:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>at least 3 treated timber corner posts (for a triangular guard) or 4 posts (for a square guard), at least 6cm in diameter and 1.5m above ground</li>\n  <li>top and bottom rails that are 6cm in diameter</li>\n  <li>sheep netting attached between the top and bottom rails</li>\n  <li>a length of barbed wire wrapped spirally around the guard to prevent animals from rubbing against it</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"option-2\">Option 2</h3>\n\n<p>The tree guard must have:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>at least 2 treated timber posts, each 6cm in diameter and at least 1.5m above ground</li>\n  <li>2m of  strong weld mesh  wire wrapped around and securely fastened to the outside of the stakes to form a cylinder (using out-turned spikes if preferred)</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You must not:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>fasten guards to the tree</li>\n  <li>allow guards to constrict, rub or damage the tree in any way</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"evidence-you-must-keep\">Evidence you must keep </h2>\n\n<p>You must keep photographs of the completed work and supply them with your claim.</p>\n\n<p>You must also keep and supply on request:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>any consents or permissions connected with the work</li>\n  <li>receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable</li>\n  <li>photographs of the trees to be protected</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","change_history":[{"note":"Guidance under the heading 'Where you can use this item' has been updated for clarity.","public_timestamp":"2026-07-14T13:42:05Z"},{"note":"The name of this capital item has change from TE8: Tree guard (wood post and wire)  to TE8: Tree guard (small post and rail and wide weld mesh). Guidance under the heading 'Where you can use this item' has been updated.","public_timestamp":"2026-07-10T07:05:25Z"},{"note":"Updated links to guidance for Capital Grants and Agreement holder's guide from 2025 to 2026.","public_timestamp":"2026-05-28T09:54:17Z"},{"note":"Payment rate updated","public_timestamp":"2026-01-05T14:40:30Z"},{"note":"TBC","public_timestamp":"2024-07-24T11:33:19Z"},{"note":"Update to 'Where to this item' to include WD10, WD11 and WD12","public_timestamp":"2022-10-05T14:52:34Z"},{"note":"Updated for 2017 applications.","public_timestamp":"2017-03-09T15:26:31Z"},{"note":"Information updated for applications in 2016.","public_timestamp":"2016-03-29T10:56:49Z"},{"note":"First published.","public_timestamp":"2015-04-02T10:42:46Z"}],"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 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