eAlert: 18 October 2022
Published 18 October 2022
Applies to England
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1. Don’t miss your opportunity to apply for support following the hot and dry weather
Applications must be submitted by 31 October 2022.
We have now contacted all agreement holders who may be eligible for support to replant trees after this summers prolonged hot and dry weather.
Please note that if you are intending to apply, you need to submit your application by 31 October 2022. We may consider an extension to this deadline at our discretion and only where you have completed your beat-up assessment by 31 October 2022. Replanting undertaken under this support package will need to be completed in winter 22/23.
If you have not heard from us and think you are eligible for support (you must have planted trees under a grant agreement in winter 21/22) please contact the relevant team detailed in our guide: Hot and dry weather: temporary support for trees and woodland in 2022.
2. Prioritising our work over the next period
Working to enable as much tree planting this winter as possible!
This time last year we updated you on our work to prioritise the processing of applications to support tree planting in the winter. In the same way we have, over the last three months, focused our efforts to offer as many England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) agreements as possible, as well as supporting the work of our delivery partners on woodland creation. This is to enable as much woodland tree planting as possible this winter.
Our focus on this will continue through to the end of December, alongside completing the negotiation of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier applications, processing applications to support replanting this winter after the hot and dry weather this summer and undertaking pressing work on felling licencing and tree health controls.
Please note that if you are only now applying for grants for tree planting and woodland creation your application will not be processed in time to plant this winter.
3. Do you work for a Local Authority and would like to hear about how to plant more trees to support nature?
Book your place on our webinar to hear how another Local Authority is developing their tree planting approach.
If you are looking to plant trees to support nature, improve air quality, and enhance the quality of life for citizens then book your place on our webinar where you will hear from Simon Needle, Principal Arboriculturist/Principal Ecologist at Birmingham City Council who will talk through how the Council is increasing tree planting and canopy cover across the city.
Date: 14 November 2022
Time: 10:00 – 11:00am
The webinar will comprise a 20 – 25-minute presentation followed by a 20-minute question and answer session.
4. Woods for Nature
Find out how trees can help the climate and biodiversity crisis in our new animation.
Trees and woodlands provide rich and diverse habitats for thousands of species. They also sustain healthy ecosystems, regulate our climate, support pollinators, and protect soils.
Follow our #WoodsForNature campaign to discover how creating new woodlands, and connecting existing ones, can boost biodiversity to benefit nature and people. Look out for a blog on Woods for Nature coming soon.
Watch our Woods for Nature animation
5. Autumn – ‘Tis the season for managing woodlands’
Read our recent blog.
Autumn is a key time in the woodland calendar. It marks the start of tree planting season and visually it makes the biggest impact on our landscapes in the shortest amount of time, as the trees change colour and then lose their leaves.
If you own a woodland it is also the ideal time to get out into the trees and make sure your woodland is in the best health to get through the cold winter months, as birds have fledged the nest and dormice are not yet hibernating.
Check our tips for the best management practices to carry out in Autumn in our blog Autumn – ‘Tis the season for managing woodlands’.
6. Seed Sourcing Grant webinar recording
Watch the webinar.
Megan Shirley, Forestry Commission Incentives Manager, and Clare Trivedi, Defra Plant Health Research & Development Manager, explain more about the Seed Sourcing Grant and the application process.