Small Woodland Grant
£2,925 a hectare, from 0.2 hectares
Both are run by DAERA's Forest Service. The annual premium went up from £350 to £469 a hectare in 2026.
Quick facts
- Small Woodland Grant
- £2,925 a hectare, from 0.2 hectares
- Small Woodland Grant opens
- Late November 2026
- Forest Expansion Scheme
- Up to 100% of costs, 3 hectares or more
- Annual premium (both)
- £469 a hectare for 10 years
- Contact
- Forest Service, 028 66343145
Small Woodland Grant Scheme: reopens late November
"The scheme supports the creation of new native woodlands of 0.2 hectares or more." "Successful applicants can receive £2,925 per hectare towards woodland establishment costs and annual payments of £469 per hectare for 10 years." It reopens for the 2026/27 planting season in late November.
Forest Expansion Scheme: 3 hectares or more
"The FES supports landowners to establish new woodlands of three hectares or more and is open to a wide range of woodland types." "Successful applicants can receive up to 100% of eligible woodland establishment costs." "In addition, annual premium payments of £469 per hectare for 10 years are payable for eligible applications."
The 2026 round closed at 3pm on 19 October. Ask the Forest Service when the next round opens, and get your plan ready before it does.
How to apply
Apply through DAERA's Forest Service. Phone 028 66343145 or email grants.forestservice@daera-ni.gov.uk.
Common questions
How much is the Small Woodland Grant in NI?
£2,925 a hectare towards planting native woodland of 0.2 hectares or more, plus £469 a hectare a year for 10 years. It reopens in late November 2026.
What does the Forest Expansion Scheme pay?
Up to 100% of eligible planting costs for woodlands of 3 hectares or more, plus £469 a hectare a year for 10 years.
Is the Forest Expansion Scheme open?
The 2026 round closed on 19 October. Contact the Forest Service on 028 66343145 for the next round.