Form

TPIF round 5 challenges

Updated 6 May 2026

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

If you are applying for the Tree Production Innovation Fund (TPIF), your project must address one or more of these challenges that the sector faces to be successful: 

1. Challenge 1: efficient use of FRM

A variety of issues can lead to a low conversion rate of seed and vegetative material to trees for planting. FRM is in limited supply, and it’s vital that we maximise the efficient use of the supplies available.

Seed quality (including purity, viability and health of a batch), can be highly variable for trees. Even viable seed can be very hard to germinate and establish, especially for the many tree species which have deeply dormant seed. Optimising tree seed harvesting, processing, screening and storage techniques can improve quality and biosecurity of seed available to nurseries.

Projects may seek to develop enhanced treatments such as priming, to improve synchronicity and speed of germination. Seed coatings and pelleting can change seed shape and size and deliver beneficial compounds from nutrients to pesticides. Projects may also explore how the seed microbiome can affect germination and growth.

Projects can also focus on vegetative propagation. Projects may explore new propagation protocols or biological and technical approaches to improve rooting success and early establishment.

We welcome innovative projects designed to support UK rootstock production. This may include overcoming market barriers to domestic production, as well as developing or adapting rootstock varieties better suited to UK growing conditions.

2. Challenge 2: ensuring a diverse and resilient supply of FRM and saplings

Increasing the variety of species and provenances and genetic diversity of our treescapes can improve resilience to pests, disease and the changing climate. However, enhancing the diversity of material available for planting presents challenges. Some species that are not commonly available in tree nurseries may be difficult to germinate or propagate, which require the adoption of new techniques and approaches.

We encourage proposals that show the potential to overcome these barriers, particularly for broadleaves and alternative conifer species.

Developing and managing of tree seed sources is vital to enhance resilience and diversify supply. Innovation in establishment or management of seed orchards and seed stands might include developing or applying tree breeding approaches to deliver certain traits to market. It could also include innovating in the identification, development, planting, growth, management or harvesting of seed stands and orchards.    

Seed collecting and processing requires networks of knowledgeable and seasonal labour, and specialist equipment and facilities. We also welcome proposals to innovate the supply chain for seed, potentially through collaborative approaches or systems change.

3. Challenge 3: development and adoption of automation and other technologies to enhance productivity

Labour supply issues can limit tree nursery productivity. Automation of singulation or grading for example, are used in other growing sectors, but has been challenging to introduce into the tree production sector where nurseries deal with smaller volumes and a wider diversity of species.

The development, adaptation and/or adoption of automation to increase nursery efficiencies and capacity could help address labour uncertainty. This would reduce the need for repetitive manual labour and present opportunities for higher quality jobs. For example, running of planting machinery.

The sector has recently seen some shift from field-grown to cell-grown plants. We are interested in projects that could increase uptake or accessibility of cell-grown plants or develop novel transplanting or planting systems to enhance productivity.

Projects could focus on the development of IT systems that support growers to enhance their productivity. For example, software or data management tools that accurately record and maintain stock.

4. Challenge 4: sustainable weed and pest control

In recent years, the sector has adapted nursery practices to reduce use of chemical herbicides and pesticides. The sector faces a considerable challenge to reduce reliance on these products without turning to alternatives that are equally environmentally unsustainable. Solutions to this challenge are vital to maintain the productivity of the sector.

We welcome proposals that use all kinds of innovation to solve this challenge. These could be technology-based solutions such as laser technology or nature-based solutions. Projects may explore efficacy, cost-effectiveness, potential damage to non-target organisms and the wider environment.

5. Challenge 5: sustainability

Tree production can use large amounts of inputs such as water, peat and single use plastics.

We welcome projects that aim to increase economic or environmental sustainability in tree production practices. Projects may seek to develop new ways to reduce or manage inputs to enhance the efficiency of tree production. Applicants looking to develop alternatives to inputs should clearly outline in their application how their project is specifically tailored for domestic tree production and consider the scalability of raw materials used.

6. Challenge 6: weather

The UK is experiencing changes to its climate, which are expected to intensify in future years. This includes warmer temperatures and more extreme weather events, such as flooding and drought.

This poses a risk to tree production, which can be difficult for growers to manage and mitigate. We welcome projects that seek to explore ways to make tree production more resilient to climate change. For example, by developing tools that reduce the susceptibility of growers to drought and extreme weather events.

7. Challenge 7: biosecurity

Biosecure practices ensures the production of high-quality tree planting stock. Plant Healthy Certification is also now often required for planting stock in government-funded tree planting schemes.   

Projects may explore the use of novel technologies or processes that help growers to achieve biosecurity standards or encourage wider uptake of best practice.

Projects may investigate approaches to improve the biosecurity of domestic and imported seed. Approaches could include rapid diagnostics, effective treatments and traceable handling and storage.

8. Challenge 8: tree establishment

To reach maturity, trees in forestry and urban contexts need to withstand pressures such as climatic stresses, pests and diseases.

We welcome projects that aim to develop innovative approaches that improve establishment and survival rates of nursery stock at the point of planting. We also welcome projects that aim to enhance the resilience of newly planted trees and saplings. For example, by seeking to understand the role of soil health, nutrition or mycorrhiza in tree growth and establishment.

9. Further information

If you have any questions about the TPIF challenges or application process, email tpif@forestrycommission.gov.uk. 

Find out more about the Tree Production Innovation Fund.