WD2: Woodland improvement
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the woodland improvement option.
How much will be paid
A minimum of £1000 per year
| Threshold | Payment |
|---|---|
| Between 3ha – 10ha | £1000 per year |
| More than 10ha | £127 per ha per year |
Where to use this option
It is available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier
If you include this as part of your Higher Tier application, the Forestry Commission will assess your application for this option before you are offered an agreement.
How this option will benefit the environment
It will improve the biodiversity of woodland and/or make it more resilient to climate change.
Requirements
The agreement will set out the objectives and what you must do to achieve them. This will be based on a pre-existing Woodland Management Plan approved by the Forestry Commission.
You can only use this option on areas covered by the agreement. You cannot use it on other woodland areas also covered by the Management Plan. The specific compartments where this option will be used will be identified in the application process.
You must apply for this option under one of the following priority objectives:
- restore plantations on ancient woodland sites
- enhance priority habitats
- enhance priority species
- improve resilience to climate change through continuous cover forestry (CCF)
You must carry out sufficient and suitable requirements on the land, as informed by the Woodland Management Plan and as discussed with a Forestry Commission Woodland Officer. The requirements you can carry out are:
- reduce the percentage of coniferous species by year 5, as agreed with an adviser
- use regeneration felling where appropriate to encourage crown development and/or natural regeneration
- replant 1,100 trees per ha if native tree species haven’t started to regenerate naturally 2 years after the removal of conifers, or conditions to support natural regeneration of native species are not in place (this is for areas larger than 0.25ha)
- manage successional scrub through cyclical cutting
- re-coppice as agreed with an adviser
- thin or selectively fell trees as agreed with an adviser
- implement silvicultural transformation as informed by the Woodland Management Plan
- monitor the presence of red and grey squirrels in red squirrel strongholds
- release existing or recruitment veteran trees from competing tree growth
- control deer if they are identified as a threat in the woodland management plan, put in place a deer management plan and manage deer populations using lethal control or fencing to allow establishment of ground flora and understory
- remove competing, non-native or invasive species by mechanical or chemical control, as agreed with an adviser
- create and/or manage permanent open space and access rides
- manage ride edges by cyclical cutting
- create or maintain appropriate levels of deadwood habitat in line with the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS)
- control grey squirrels using live or lethal traps if they are identified as a threat in the woodland management plan. In areas that also contain red squirrels, only live traps can be used. Shooting may be undertaken as an additional method of control.
Keeping records
You must keep the following records and supply them on request:
- any bank statements, receipted invoices, consents or permissions connected with the work
- records of all management activity on the option area for each parcel, including an operational site assessment, or similar, to show UKFS compliant operational activities
- a Forestry Commission approved management plan that justifies the need for this option
- a Deer Management Plan in place by the end of the first year
- monitoring reports for year 3 and 5 of the agreement to confirm progress (for example providing before and after photographs, a record of the number of deer culled, and the results of squirrel monitoring)
- evidence of activities undertaken through monitoring, photography and marking
You can use Forestry Commission Operations Note 50 to find information and tools to support the monitoring report, photo monitoring and information on deer management plans to help you meet your requirements under WD2.
The detailed requirements for this option will be tailored to the Higher Tier site. You should discuss and agree these requirements with your adviser.
Additional guidance and advice
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 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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Update to 'Where to use this option' section - If you include this as part of your Higher Tier application, the Forestry Commission will assess your application for this option before you are offered an agreement.
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'How much will be paid' section - table added '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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'How this option will benefit the environment' section updated to say: It will improve the biodiversity of woodland and/or make it more resilient to climate change.
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The Keeping records section of this page has been updated
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Updated keeping records section for evidence required with claim.
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Removed related options section. No other options can currently be located on the same area as WD2.
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Updated information for applications in 2016.
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First published.