Guidance

Additional contributions for EWCO

Updated 23 October 2025

Applies to England

Find out if you’re eligible for additional contributions under the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO). You can apply if your woodland’s location and design benefit the public. This includes areas where natural colonisation was used.

Additional contributions are one-off payments. They are paid with your final capital claim, when we are satisfied that all the capital works are completed satisfactorily. Eligibility is assessed by compartment. Each compartment must meet the criteria independently.

Additional contributions are awarded on spatial targeting and planting design. They can be stacked on the same area of land where the location and design of your woodland provides multiple public benefits. They can be one, or a combination of:     

1. nature recovery
2. water quality
3. flood risk management
4. riparian buffers
5. close to settlements
6. recreational access
7. ammonia capture

1. Nature recovery 

Rates: between £1,100 to £3,300 per hectare

There are 3 rates for nature recovery. They cannot be stacked on the same area. Where the highest rate touches the compartment or block, the highest rate will apply (unless creating woodland for red squirrels).

Rates depend on the location, objective and composition of the new woodland:

• premium rate (£3,300): the new native woodland will expand areas of existing priority habitat ancient woodland
• high rate (£2,800): the new native woodland will expand areas of existing native woodland
• lower rate (£1,100): the new woodland will create areas of new native woodland, or expand habitat for red squirrels

1.1 Ancient woodland and native woodland

1.1.1 Spatial targeting

Use our map browser and select the map layer Targeting and scoring to check spatial targeting. Proposed new woodland must touch one of the following ‘spatial priority’ woodland areas:

• premium (ancient woodland) - select layer: EWCO - Nature Recovery - Priority Habitat Network
• high (native woodland) - select layer: EWCO - Nature Recovery - Priority Habitat Network
• lower (native woodland) - select layer: EWCO – Nature Recovery – Priority Habitat Network

1.1.2 Species mix

Choose trees that mimic the natural woodland of your site. The following tools will help:

• Forest Research’s Ecological Site Classification shows the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) for the site
• Woodland Wildlife Toolkit helps identify local species priorities

The planting must have:

• at least 80% native species in total
• up to 20% can be non-native, naturalised or ‘advancing’ (native elsewhere in Britain), or ‘honorary’ natives (broadleaves native to northwest Europe and expected to be adapted to conditions in the near-future climate)
• a minimum of 5 native species and no more than 50% allocated to a single species
• 25-5% made up of the small trees and woody shrubs listed in the EWCO application form

You can include fast-growing non-native species as a small component (under 20%) as a fail-safe mix. Plant them singly or in small groups of 3 to 5 trees scattered within the predominantly native broadleaved stand, which will develop if no further management occurs.

1.1.3 Stocking density

The minimum requirement is 1,600 stems per hectare.

Lower stocking can be agreed for:

• woodland edges
• upslope for visual landscape fit
• benefitting black grouse, or any other protected species or habitat (where present)

You can use closer spacing where timber quality is important. This will also accelerate canopy closure to provide earlier opportunities for specialist woodland plants and animals to colonise.

Open space must follow the guidelines:

• blocks up to 5 hectares: a minimum of 10%, with flexibility of 0 to 20%*
• blocks over 5 hectares: a minimum of 20%, with flexibility of 10 to 40%*

*only in agreement with a woodland officer, 40% being the absolute maximum

1.1.4 Proposal recommendations

You need to show how the new native woodland design will be laid out on the ground and demonstrate tree aftercare.

We recommend innovative planting patterns by mixing clumps and open space to introduce variation. You can do this by changing the:

• mix of species, size and layout of clumps
• spacing between trees within each clump
• spacing between trees and shrubs in nearby clumps
• distance between clumps and the size and layout of open areas

1.2  Enhancing red squirrel habitat

1.2.1 Spatial targeting

Use our map browser and select the map layer Targeting and scoring to check spatial targeting. Proposed new woodland must touch the lower spatial priority area.  

Select layer: EWCO Biodiversity – Priority species – Red Squirrel – Woodland Creation.

If your proposal is not within this spatial area, we accept confirmation of a benefit from Red Squirrel Northern England.  

1.2.2. Species mix

Avoid planting large-seeded broadleaves like oak and beech as they can create corridors for grey squirrels to move into red squirrel reserves or buffer zones. This does not apply to the Isle of Wight.

However, broadleaves can be used for extending ancient or semi-natural woodland, as this often benefits the landscape and wildlife. Limit extensions to avoid increasing large-seeded broadleaved woodland in the red squirrel buffer zone by more than 10% over 10 years.

Read more about forest operations and red squirrels by Scottish Forestry.

1.2.2.1 Trees to plant and avoid

Trees for red squirrel conservation include:

• blackthorn
• bird cherry
• pine spp.
• Douglas fir
• hawthorn
• holly
• spruce spp.
• wild cherry
• western red cedar
• yew

Neutral tree species include:

• alder
• aspen
• birches
• black poplar
• Cypress spp.
• field maple
• juniper
• lime spp.
• rowan
• sycamore
• western hemlock
• whitebeam
• willows
• wych elm

Do not plant:

• beech
• hazel
• chestnuts
• oak
• walnut

1.2.3 Stocking density

The minimum requirement is 1,100 stems per hectare. 

2. Water quality

Rates: £500 per hectare

New woodland often helps reduce diffuse pollution by cutting fertiliser and pesticide use. It can also:

• protect soils from disturbance and erosion
• increase infiltration and reduce water run-off
• intercept sediment and chemical pollutants in run-off, reducing the delivery of pollutants into watercourses

The additional contribution for water quality is available where woodland creation either:

• is in a catchment that has moderate or poor water quality status
• reduces fertilizer application through land use change
• intercepts pollution and sediment before it reaches watercourses

2.1 Spatial targeting

Use our map browser and select the map layer Targeting and scoring to check spatial targeting. Proposed new woodland must touch a ‘high priority area’. Select layer: EWCO Water – Water Quality.  

If your proposal is not within this spatial area, we accept confirmation of a benefit from the local flood authority or Catchment Sensitive Farming advisors. Discuss and agree this with your woodland officer first, who will liaise with the relevant authority.

2.2 Species mix

The planting must have a maximum of:

• 50% of a single species for climate adaptation (UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) compliance)
• 35% made up of small trees and woody shrubs

Productive broadleaf or conifer species provide the greatest benefits for water.

Avoid larger scale planting of conifers where acidification or water resources are an issue.

2.3 Stocking density

The minimum requirement is 1,100 stems per hectare.

Use closer spacing across runoff pathways. Higher stocking may be required if you need to secure the ‘nature recovery’ additional contribution.

Open space must be a maximum of 20%.

2.4 Ground preparation

Plan to install drains at the same time or immediately after cultivation operations.

Ensure that existing field drains and new drains are aligned so that water discharges slowly into buffer areas and not directly into watercourses. Stop drains at the edge of buffer areas, preferably on flat ground where water can fan out.

2.5 Proposal recommendations

Your woodland should be located:

• within groundwater and surface water protection zones
• on soils at high risk of erosion or leaching chemical pollutants
• where temporary surface water collects and flows during heavy rain
• within run-off from hard standings, on infiltration basins and on sustainable rural and urban drainage systems
• downslope of erosion or chemical pollutant sources

We prefer proposals that provide the maximum benefits, such as those that:

• target pollutant sources and retention zones
• run parallel to the land contour, where the woodland is designed to intercept pollutants draining from upslope areas
• have the highest planting densities along run-off pathways
• include an open space towards the uphill edge of the woodland to trap fine sediment where overland flow is an issue

3. Flood risk management  

Rates: £1,000 per hectare

Apply for this additional contribution where your new woodland will help reduce the risk of flooding.

Certain design elements can  provide additional benefits, such as:

• woodland in the wider catchment: can reduce fertiliser and pesticide use, protect sensitive soils from disturbance and erosion, and intercept sediment and chemical pollutants in run-off
• riparian woodland along watercourses: can create a buffer between rivers and land and reduce water temperature by providing shade
• floodplain woodland: can become a permeable river barrier when in flood
• cross-slope woodland: creates smaller areas like shelterbelts across hill slopes to reduce run-off

Trees also encourage infiltration and increase the soil’s water storage capacity.

Sometimes woodland creation can have a negative impact on water resources. For example, conifer’s water consumption can threaten water supplies and river flows, which can be detrimental to water-dependent protected sites. Get advice from organisations such as the Environment Agency, your local water company or Natural England if the scale of your plan could cause an issue. 

Read more about managing flood risk in the UKFS practice Guide: Designing and Managing Forests and Woodlands to Reduce Flood Risk (page 12).

3.1 Spatial targeting

Use our map browser and select the map layers Targeting and scoring > EWCO – Flood Risk Management to check spatial targeting. Proposed new woodland must touch either:

• layer: ‘Opportunity for Floodplain Woodland’
• layer: ‘Opportunity for Wider Catchment Woodland’

If your proposal is not within this spatial area, we accept confirmation of a benefit from the lead local Flood Authority or Catchment Sensitive Farming advisers, for example inclusion within a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

Applications involving cross slope or run-off prevention woodland will be verified and advised upon by Catchment Sensitive Farming advisers. Discuss and agree with your woodland officer first, who will liaise with the relevant authority.

3.2 Species mix

The planting must have a maximum of:

• 50% of a single species for climate adaptation (UKFS compliance)
• 35% made up of small trees and woody shrubs

In the wider catchment, standard EWCO design requirements apply.

Broadleaf or conifer species can be used, and a complex mix of species are effective to deliver a complex canopy structure, with broadleaves along watercourses (refer to the riparian buffers section).

3.3 Stocking density

The minimum requirement is 1,100 stems per hectare. This should be increased up to 2,500 stems per hectare in the lowest, wettest parts of the floodplain, outside riparian buffers, and along the downstream edge of the woodland.

Higher stocking may be required if you need to secure the ‘nature recovery’ additional contribution.

Open space must be a maximum of 20% in the floodplain, excluding the standard requirement of 40% in riparian buffers.

3.4 Ground preparation

Do not pre-plant drainage or create new ditches or drains or do any work that would increase drainage to an existing watercourse, including permanent sub-soil drains.

Sub-soiling as a cultivation method may be permitted where it is required for successful tree establishment and help vertical drainage by breaking any plough or iron pan. Cultivation must be cross-slope and comply with: UKFS practice guide: Managing Forestry Operations to Protect the Water Environment.

3.5 Fencing

On a floodplain, fencing carries risk of damage, repair costs and potential loss of fence lines during flood events. Mesh fencing and fence corners are likely to catch debris during flooding. Reduce damage risks by:

• designing fencing to run parallel with the direction of flow and far away from the watercourse
• avoiding mesh fencing to minimise the trapping of debris
• incorporating sacrificial weak points that give way under pressure and are easy to repair
• checking and removing debris from fencing and water gates after floods

3.6 Proposal recommendations

We prefer proposals that provide the maximum benefits, such as those that:

• involve random spacing, even if in rows:  you can offset and align rows perpendicular to the flow of water
• have open space that will be concentrated  on the higher, drier parts of the site
• create wet woodland in naturally wet areas, where appropriate within a productive forest instead of installing new drainage
• have trees that can survive temporary flooding and thrive in wetter conditions where appropriate
• have a multi-layered canopy in the flood plain, especially within the riparian buffer and other wet/waterlogged parts​ including ground vegetation and subsequent inputs of dead wood  to provide hydraulic roughness
• have higher stocking and lower levels of open space away from the watercourses to increase hydraulic roughness and water to infiltration
• have native broadleaves next to watercourses (refer to the UKFS guidelines) and in the lowest, wettest areas and use productive broadleaves or conifers in other parts of the site, especially higher, drier ground

Where appropriate, show that any new or existing field and forest drainage within your proposal meets UKFS good practice guidelines and is designed to reduce flood risk.

Where appropriate, use this design guide and the UKFS to create riparian buffer zones. Ensure that existing field drains are disconnected so that water is discharged slowly into buffer areas and not directly into watercourses.

The buffer must be at least 10 metres wide for small watercourses and 20 metres for larger ones, so that drains can discharge at the landward edge without affecting the water. 

Disconnect existing drains at the edge of buffer areas, preferably on flat ground where water can fan out. Sometimes it may be appropriate to include other run-off attenuation features (for example, swales and scrapes) into the open space design of the woodland. The positive benefits of these should be agreed in advance with the appropriate flood authority but remain outside the funding requirements, payments and permissions of EWCO.

Avoid creating woodland in areas:

• where flood flows are controlled or backed up by existing restrictions, such as bridges and culverts, particularly where these are vulnerable to blockage
• along main rivers with engineered flood defence banks
• where the backing-up of floodwaters from physical bottlenecks could threaten local properties
• within ‘washlands’: land adjacent to rivers that flood when river levels are high, washlands act as a natural store for water to prevent flooding homes or agricultural land

4. Riparian buffers 

Rates: £2,500 per hectare

Woodland along watercourses creates a buffer between the water and adjacent land. It can also:

• provide dappled shade and reduce water temperatures which improves aquatic ecology
• provide important corridors for wildlife
• intercept and remove pollutants and sediment in run-off
• provide a barrier to pesticide spray drift
• protect riverbanks from disturbance and erosion
• slow flood flows

Read more on flood risk and floodplain woodland: UKFS practice guide: Designing and Managing Forests and Woodlands to Reduce Flood Risk.

To apply for this additional contribution your proposal must provide 50% dappled shade to watercourses. Your broadleaved woodland design plan must:

• be entirely native tree and shrub species suited to riparian woodland
• target watercourses at risk of pollution from nearby land, such as sediment or pesticide spray
• include watercourses vulnerable to bank erosion
• provide shade to watercourses where fish maybe at risk from thermal stress

Where appropriate and practical, include the construction of large woody debris dams within the watercourse to improve channel structure and aid re-wetting of the riparian zone.

This additional contribution is awarded on areas up to 50 metres from either bank of the watercourse on the following basis:

4.1 Spatial targeting

Proposed woodland must be planted within 10 metres of the bank of a targeted watercourse.

Use our map browser and select the map layers Targeting and scoring > EWCO - Keeping Rivers Cool to check spatial targeting.

Only the area fully within the targeting layer is eligible. You must map this as a separate compartment. If this leaves compartments less than 0.1 ha, label each ‘sub-compartment’ to show the total area meets the minimum compartment threshold.

For example, divide ‘compartment 1’ into ‘sub-compartment 1a’ (the riparian area) and ‘sub-compartment 1b’ (the non-riparian area).

Ditches or drains that are buffered on the spatial targeting layer are not generally eligible.

If your scheme can offer riparian benefits but is not in the targeting layer, speak to your woodland officer who may be able to investigate this further.

4.2 Species mix

Use native species (excluding advancing or honorary native species) to provide dappled shade and ensure that the seed of invasive tree species are not transported by watercourses.

Up to 35% of species can be made up of small trees and woody shrubs.

Up to 15% can be Scots pine where this will preserve Scots pine in the immediate area. Stock must be from a UK seed source.

4.3 Stocking density

The maximum requirement is 1,100 stems per hectare and must include 40% open space.

The proposal must create shade along 50% of the watercourse next to your proposal.

4.4 Ground preparation

If you have existing field drains that discharge into a watercourse, these should generally be disconnected and re-designed to discharge into a buffer area before starting any woodland creation work.

The UKFS states: “Forest drainage (including road drains) should be planned and, where necessary, existing drains should be realigned and disconnected from waterbodies to ensure that water is discharged before the edge of a buffer area, and never directly into a waterbody”. If, after consulting the Environment Agency this is not going to be the case, and the ditch/drain will remain connected to the water course, we will consider this for the riparian buffer additional contribution.

Do not carry out any drainage or land preparation that creates new ditches, increases flow to existing watercourses, or includes sub-soil drainage in riparian or groundwater-dependent buffer zones.

Avoid using tree guards in riparian zones where there is a risk that they could be washed away in flood events. Plan to install drains at the same time or immediately after cultivation operations. Ensure that existing field drains and new drains are aligned so that water is discharged slowly into buffer areas and not directly into watercourses. Stop drains at the edge of buffer areas, preferably on flat ground where water can fan out.

When applying with any other additional contribution, woodland design must meet riparian buffer requirements within the target area. The area within the riparian buffer will attract each of the relevant additional contributions. You must meet the appropriate design requirements outside the riparian buffer.

4.5 Fencing

Fencing on a floodplain carries risk of damage, repair costs and potential loss of fence lines during flood events. Mesh fencing and fence corners are likely to catch debris while interacting with flood flows. Reduce the risk of damage within your scheme by:

• designing fencing so that it runs parallel to the direction of flow and is as far from the watercourse as possible
• avoiding the use of mesh fencing where possible to minimise the trapping of debris
• designing appropriate sacrificial weak points that give way under pressure and are more easily repairable
• checking and removing debris from fencing and water gates after flood events

4.6 Proposal recommendations

We prefer proposals that provide the maximum benefits, such as those that:

• provide continuous canopy cover along the riparian zone but allow light/dappled shade alongside the watercourse
• include open space towards the outer edge where overland flow from adjacent land is an issue
• are widest and densest where overland flow discharges from the adjacent land and extend to include areas of active erosion and unstable slopes where possible

5. Close to settlements

Rate: £600 per hectare

Apply where woodland creation will provide social and environmental benefits by being close to people. This additional contribution will be awarded on the following basis:

5.1 Spatial targeting

Proposed woodland meeting the design requirements must touch the ‘EWCO - NfC Social’ targeting layer in the map browser.

5.2 Species mix

The species mix must be UKFS-compliant with no one species being more than 50% of the mixture for climate adaptation. A complex mix of broadleaves and conifers is effective in delivering a varied canopy structure, with broadleaves being used along watercourses (refer to the riparian buffer section).

Up to 35% of the species mix can be made up of woody shrubs and small trees.

5.3 Stocking density

The minimum requirement is 1,100 stems per hectare.

6. Recreational access

Rate: £3,700 per hectare

Apply if your proposal provides public foot access on land without existing access, for at least 30 years.

Access must be offered over the whole area you’re applying for and include the creation of a path network. This might include linking to existing access such as a public park, pavement or Public Right of Way (PRoW), where a safe connection to the existing access network can be established without trespassing (to be agreed with the woodland officer).

Access must be allowed during daylight hours all year round.

Land parcels with existing Countryside Rights of Way (CRoW) are not eligible. Where trees are planted on Countryside Rights of Way, public access can be restricted for 12 months after planting. Read more on Open access land: management, rights and responsibilities.

6.1 Spatial targeting

Proposed woodland meeting the design requirements must touch the ‘EWCO - NfC Social’ targeting layer in the map browser.

If you’re outside this layer, tell us why you feel the proposal is eligible by completing a EWCO public access – non-spatial eligibility form. Your proposal must meet the public transport access criteria, and one of the secondary criteria, which is listed in the form.

6.2 When applying

You must provide an access map showing the routes to be created for permissive access on foot and where signage will be located.

If you are applying as a public body, you need to provide public access over at least half of the site, except where to do so would unavoidably undermine public safety. This must be provided through either permissive access for at least 30 years, or a dedicated right of access over the site. You can still apply for the recreational access additional contribution providing you meet the design criteria, but public access is required regardless.

6.3 After you’ve applied

We will provide ‘Woodland Welcome’ guidance on signage requirements. The Woodland Welcome symbol is required on all signage.

Read more about Managing people and public access in your woodland and Managing visitors with dogs in your woodland.

6.4 If you’re successful

You will need to advertise that there is access to the site. For example, through way-markers or signage at entry points, and online maps. The promotion can be physical or digital but must be agreed with us and installed satisfactorily before claiming.

The signage must clearly advertise dates that the site will be closed for maintenance. Access can be closed for up to 10 days a year for maintenance.

6.5 Proposal recommendations

We prefer proposals that provide the maximum benefits, such as those that:

• make the most of natural features such as views, water, open space, sunny glades or crags
• decide where conservation areas prioritise recreation
• link features, such as trails and facilities, across woodland
• create zones for different uses, such as ‘off-route zones and jump areas’ for mountain bikers to separate from family walking areas; or use time-zoning to help specify recreational usage for certain times
• operate an effective permission structure for events
• waymark routes, such as walking, cycling, easy access and bridle to avoid accidental trespass or conflict between user groups
• ensure trails and routes are well-made, wide enough and well-drained
• where possible, develop trails that are easily accessible to users of all abilities
• retain some areas or routes with less intervention for local or informal use
• make provision for dogs
• consider different management approaches for diverse types of users, such as family cycling and mountain biking
• make signage bigger if people are travelling at greater speed, for example where cyclists will be travelling downhill

7. Ammonia capture   

No payment, but will improve overall score

Ammonia impacts biodiversity through toxicity to sensitive species. Trees can contribute to air quality objectives by capturing ammonia emissions, which are mainly from agriculture.

There is no additional contribution payment for ammonia capture, but EWCO will award points for proposals that create shelterbelts to capture ammonia emissions from farm sources (for example, livestock buildings, slurry stores, composting site, free-range poultry, or pigs).

This also applies in locations where there is a potential risk of air pollution impacting a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Especially where sensitive habitats or species could be impacted by direct toxic effects of ammonia, nitrogen deposition or acidification from ammonia emissions.

Over 85% of SSSIs in England are receiving levels of nitrogen where harm is expected and 88% of SSSIs exceed concentrations of ammonia likely to cause damage to lower plants. Ammonia reacts with other air pollutants to form fine particulates that impact on human health. Air quality is also affected by the wind dispersal and air flow disruption through the trees.

Points for this benefit will be awarded on the following basis:

7.1 Spatial targeting

Proposed woodland meeting the design requirements touches the ‘EWCO – NfC Ammonia emissions capture for SSSI’ layer in the map browser.

7.2 Species mix

The backstop planting should include a proportion of conifers, whilst the main body of the planting should include faster growing tree species with a large leaf area to achieve benefit as quickly as possible. Up to 20% of the species mix can be made up of woody shrubs.

7.3 Stocking density

Backstop planting at a minimum of 2,500 stems per hectare and main planting at a minimum of 1,100 stems per hectare.

7.4 Proposal recommendations

We prefer proposals that provide the maximum benefits, such as those that:

• include shelterbelts to capture ammonia and disrupt air flow, read more and see example plans at Farm Trees to Air
• provide trees downwind of the ammonia source and, ideally, upwind of any Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
• have a densely planted ‘barrier’ of evergreen trees (from 2,500 stems per hectare) on the downwind edge that act as a ‘backstop’
• have an open canopy (from 1,100 stems per hectare) to allow air flow
• assess the effectiveness for capturing ammonia emissions from the source to reduce the impact of ammonia on sensitive habitats and species
• have shelterbelts or small woodland within 20 metres of livestock buildings (and slurry stores) to screen buildings without impeding ventilation

Get advice on the location, design and species mix of your proposal from your Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer in priority areas for water and air quality.