Grants for ash with ash dieback
Updated 16 February 2024
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2024
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tree-health-pilot-scheme-2023/grants-for-ash-with-ash-dieback
This grant will help pay for some of the costs to remove dangerous ash with ash dieback that are growing along roadsides and public footpaths.
Groups led by a facilitator can access funding that pays towards:
- European protected species surveying
- the costs of traffic management and road closures when felling trees
- restocking and maintenance of trees
- facilitation time to manage the group
By collaborating, local landowners can reduce the danger diseased trees pose and replace them with more resilient species.
You can only apply for these grants as part of a group application. You cannot apply as an individual. A group application must consist of at least two group members. One of the group members may act as the facilitator for the group.
Ash with ash dieback grant: who is eligible
Before applying, check that your land is eligible.
You’re eligible for ash with ash dieback grants if you are a:
- private landowner
- land manager
- lower tier local authority
- upper tier local authority (with some exclusions)
You can apply as a group member or a lead facilitator.
Upper tier local authorities can only apply as a facilitator of a group and can only claim for the facilitation and restocking grant options.
You can read a full definition of what is considered a lower or upper tier local authority in our terms and conditions.
Nominate a lead facilitator
If you find ash trees with ash dieback on a shared road or public footpath, contact the landowners who share ownership of the trees. Ask if they wish to form a group and apply for the ash dieback grant.
The group will nominate (or a local authority will volunteer to be) a lead facilitator. They will coordinate the group and manage their application.
Read about the role of the lead facilitator to find out:
- who is eligible to be the group’s lead facilitator
- how much a lead facilitator can claim
- what a lead facilitator needs to do for a group application
What the ash with ash dieback grant will fund
The grant will pay towards the costs of:
- partial or full road closures and hire of traffic management equipment while you carry out felling work (you’ll need to contact your local council to find out how road closures work and how much they cost – traffic management companies may apply for this on your behalf for a fee)
- a European protected species site survey to plan how to fell and restock without causing harm or disturbing protected species - if you cannot avoid disturbing protected species, you’ll need a licence from Natural England
- a facilitator’s time to manage a group application
- restocking and capital items, to replace trees with different species that are more likely to withstand pests, diseases and climate change, including items to protect them such as fencing and netting
- maintenance, if you’ve applied for a restocking grant, paid at the end of your agreement year for 5 years for woodland trees or 3 years for trees outside of woodland, to help establish new trees
As part of the restocking offer, you can apply for either:
- mature trees to replace the ash trees you have felled
- whips and feathers to replace woodland and hedgerows you have felled or removed
When restocking trees outside of woodland (standalone trees or areas less than 0.5 hectares (ha)), the ratio of restocking should be at least 3 to 1 to allow trees to establish.
Read the grants for restocking trees guidance for more information. The management of individual ash trees affected by ash dieback also provides advice on what to restock.
What the ash with ash dieback grant will not fund
The grant does not fund the cost of felling ash trees with ash dieback.
If you need to fell ash trees, you’ll need to get a felling licence. It is your responsibility to prove that any felling licence exemptions apply. You may wish to contact your local Forestry Commission area office to ask their advice.
For more information, read about managing ash trees affected by ash dieback.
Grant payment rates: ash with ash dieback
Actual costs means the total amount it costs you to carry out the work or buy goods and services.
| Type of grant | Payment rate for trees in woodlands | Payment rate for trees outside of woodlands |
|---|---|---|
| Road closure and traffic management | 60% of the actual costs of partial or full road closure and traffic management | 60% of the actual costs of partial or full road closure and traffic management |
| Facilitation time (leading the application) | £24 per hour (up to a maximum of £4,200 per month) | £24 per hour (up to a maximum of £4,200 per month) |
| European protected species surveys | 80% of actual costs | 80% of actual costs |
| Restocking and capital items | Up to £6,000 per ha for ancient woodland sites. Up to £4,720 per ha for other sites | £270.44 per large tree, £3.79 for feathers, £2.29 for whips |
| Maintenance (per year for 3 years) | £350 per ha | Up to £189 per large tree or £0.14 per feather or whip |
Example ash with ash dieback grant application
Image 1: an aerial view of ash trees lining a road
Image 1 shows ash trees on land owned by separate landowners. The areas marked in yellow belong to a private landowner (A). The areas marked in blue belong to a private landowner (B). The areas marked in red belong to the council.
All the marked areas of land had roadside ash trees. These ash trees were dead or dying, posing a danger to road users. They needed removing.
How an eligible group was formed
The local authority decided to apply to the tree health pilot (THP) scheme as a lead facilitator. They brought together landowners A and B, to deal with the trees affected by ash dieback that lined the road.
The private landowners were eligible as group members for all the ash grant options. The local authority was eligible for the facilitation payments and restocking grants.
What the group applied for
On behalf of the group members, the local authority applied for:
- a road closure
- a European Protected Species survey on trees flagged for felling
- restocking to replenish hedgerows and woodland on private land where ash trees were removed
The local authority applied for:
- the facilitation grant, to pay for their time coordinating the application and facilitating the work
- a grant for restocking on local authority-owned land where ash trees were removed
What work was done
Once they got a grant agreement, the local authority coordinated the work. This included surveys and self-funded felling.
They contacted their local Forestry Commission woodland officer for advice on contractors to fell and restock trees. They found a traffic management company easily online.
The local authority and private landowners split the felling costs based on the number of trees felled on their land.
After the felling, the land was restocked. Small trees were used to gap-up the hedgerows. Mature trees replaced the larger ash trees. An area of roadside woodland that was removed from landowner B’s property was replanted.
Apply for this grant
Follow the step-by-step application process using the How to apply for the tree health pilot scheme guide.
Additional ash dieback resources
For more information about ash with ash dieback, read:
- local authority action plan toolkit
- ash dieback disease: a guide for tree owners
- a farmer’s guide to ash dieback
Return to the THP scheme 2023 guidance.