FG16: Deer pedestrian gate
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the Deer pedestrian gate option.
This item is part of Woodland Tree Health Grants 2025. You must read the Woodland Tree Health grants 2025 to understand the rules and how to apply.
How much you’ll be paid
£475.44 per gate.
How this item benefits the environment
It protects trees from deer browsing and damage. It also helps you manage deer on your land.
Where you can use this item
You can use this item as part of a Woodland Tree Health grant.
You cannot use a pedestrian deer gate with a temporary deer fence.
What you must do to use this item
You must:
- install the deer fence prior to planting any trees – you’ll need to meet Forestry Commission’s fence specifications
- ensure the gate is a minimum of 0.9 metres (m) wide – do not use the hanging posts as an end strainer
- install hanging posts following Forestry Commission’s fence specifications, and make sure they’re suitably compacted – there must be no gaps at the bottom of the gate that are wider than the mesh sizes
- maintain the gates so deer cannot enter the land until the trees no longer require protection
Hanging post dimensions must be a minimum of:
- 2.8m by 120 to 180 millimetres (mm) diameter for Red, Sika and Fallow deer
- 2.8m by 100 to 130mm for Roe and Muntjac deer
You must also use the following specifications for the height of the gate and the size of the mesh (minimum gate height (in m) and maximum mesh size (in mm)):
- Red and Sika 1.8m, 200mm by 300mm
- Fallow 1.8m, 200mm by 220mm
- Roe 1.5m, 200mm by 150mm
- Muntjac 1.5m, 80mm by 80m
When to use wooden wings for gates
You can use wooden wings to make sure the gates are deer proof for the full width of a gap where necessary. For example, where a gateway is adjacent to a ditch. These are only likely necessary where they’re already a feature of the landscape. You should make sure each wing consists of rails or fencing mesh meets Forestry Commission standards.
Evidence you must keep
You must keep and provide on request:
- receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
- any consents or permissions connected with the work
Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement Holder’s guide: Woodland Tree Health grants 2025 for more information.
Advice to help you use this item
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.
Contact your local Forestry Commission adviser for more advice.
Updates to this page
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This item is part of Woodland Tree Health Grants 2025. It is not available in Higher Tier Capital Grants at this time.
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General improvement for clarity.
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Removal of text confirming FG16 Deer pedestrian gate availability under Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants (SFI pilot), as the SFI Capital offer is no longer available.
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'Where to use this item' section updated to include detail on SFI pilot.
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First published.