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Guidance

Tree health pilot scheme

Find out what grants are available under the tree health pilot (THP) scheme, if you’re eligible and how to apply.

Updates to this page

From:
Forestry Commission and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published:
16 February 2024
Last updated:
20 July 2026
Show all updates

  1. In 'Grants for ash with ash dieback', provided email address to contact if you are unsure whether you qualify as an upper or lower tier local authority.

  2. Added clarification that the questions listed describe what happens if an SPHN is issued on your spruce, or infestation with Ips typographus is confirmed, within "Grants for larch, spruce and sweet chestnut"

  3. 'Tree health advice package' grant eligibility has been updated to SPHN holders only.

  4. In 'Grants for ash with ash dieback' added more detail on what actual costs are based on and what applicants need to do with them.

  5. Added clarification on 'Grants for larch spruce and sweet chestnut' HTML attachment under grants for spruce at risk from Ips typographus in the proactive spruce removal area. All susceptible material must be included in the application to proactively fell spruce unless otherwise agreed with the Forestry Commission.

  6. Added information on proactive felling of spruce grant funding and links to the new expression of interest form.

  7. Added a note to the 'Grants for larch, spruce and sweet chestnut' confirming that the spruce grant is currently paused for applications. SPHN related applications remain open for grant support.

  8. In the 'Local authority grants for oak with oak processionary moth (OPM)' guidance, we have added a link to a case study on how the THP scheme grants have supported the proactive management of OPM.

  9. In the "Tree health pilot scheme: who can apply and what land is eligible" guidance we have added further detail under the "Check if your land is eligible" section. In the "Grants for larch, spruce and sweet chestnut" guidance we have added a line to advise you can only apply for grants to chemically kill trees with Phytophthora ramorum if agreed with the Forestry Commission.

  10. Updated section on who can apply for the tree health advice package: This grant is available to landowners with spruce trees in the proactive spruce removal zone for Ips typographus and landowners who have a SPHN for larch trees with Phytophthora ramorum, spruce trees with the Ips typographus (eight-toothed spruce bark beetle), sweet chestnut trees with Phytophthora ramorum or sweet chestnut blight.

  11. Updated guidance for oak processionary moth (OPM) grant, land registry searches are not covered by the grant.

  12. The tree health pilot scheme has been updated from September 2024

  13. Links added to page with map for ‘proactive spruce removal area’.

  14. Restocking maintenance payments changed from £350 per hectare each year for 5 years to £400. Also, 'What land is eligible' section updated in 'Who can apply and what land is eligible'. It now includes spruce with either a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN) for eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) or that are growing in the high risk demarcated area.

  15. Grants for ash with ash dieback - payment rate has changed for trees in woodland: Maintenance (per year for 3 years) has changed from £350 to £400 per ha.

  16. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Tree health pilot scheme: who can apply and what land is eligible

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Grants for larch, spruce and sweet chestnut

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Local authority grants for oak with oak processionary moth (OPM)

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Grants for ash with ash dieback

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Grants for restocking trees

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Biosecurity protocol and capital items

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How to apply for the tree health pilot scheme

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Tree health advice package

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Details

The tree health pilot scheme is testing different ways of slowing the spread of pests and diseases affecting trees in England.

It expands on support available through the Woodland Tree Health grant.

There are grants available for:

  • larch trees with Phytophthora ramorum
  • spruce trees with a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN) for Ips typographus (eight-toothed spruce bark beetle) or that are growing in the proactive spruce removal area
  • sweet chestnut trees with Phytophthora ramorum or sweet chestnut blight
  • oak trees with oak processionary moth (OPM) in the OPM established area
  • ash trees with ash dieback

Read the documents to check what the grants cover and who’s eligible to apply.

The pilot will help develop the future funding policy for tree health schemes.

Application forms

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