Would you love to have trees on your land? If you’ve considered planting trees, hedges or even an orchard, there’s funding available to cover the cost.
“For anyone who doesn’t have the money, experience or perhaps isn’t physically able to plant and maintain their own trees, we’re here to help,” says Kat Deeney, head of environmental planning, at Plymouth City Council.
Kat leads an initiative called Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest, which provides support to enhance our natural surroundings through tree planting initiatives. The aim is to connect local communities with nature, inspire people to love, care for, and plant more trees and in doing so, help tackle climate change.
Below, Kat shares how you can get funding to cover the planting and maintenance of trees on your land.
Q: Who is eligible for funding from Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest?
A: Anyone who owns a piece of land within the Community Forest project area, no matter how big or small. If you own land and like the idea of planting some trees in the area but aren’t sure where to start or how to finance it, get in touch with us and we may be able to grant you funding to complete the project.
Q: How do I get funding for my trees?
A: It’s a simple and hassle-free process, so you don’t need to worry about lots of forms to deal with – we will handle everything with you. The Community Forest offers bespoke packages to each individual client, depending on their wishes, whether it’s a landowner wanting to cover a couple of corners of their land, or a parish council wanting to plant entire orchards for the public to enjoy.
The funding is through the Trees for Climate programme, a government-backed multi-million-pound woodland creation programme which supports landowners to integrate trees on their land.
The programme is part of the government-led Nature for Climate Fund and is being delivered by England’s Community Forests, 13 organisations providing advice and support to landowners, whether they have a small pocket of unused land or several acres of farmland.
Q: I’d like to plant trees on my land, but I’m not sure if I’m able to look after them. What can I do?
A: This is what we’re here for. Some people may be just able to plant the trees, but either don’t have the facilities or the time to nurture them. Or they may have a disability and have the land but aren’t physically able to plant the trees.
Part of the Community Forest programme includes ongoing support with your project, for up to 15 years after planting. So, as well as supporting the scheme design and delivery of the planting and immediate after-care of the trees, there is also longer-term funding available to make sure the trees continue to thrive.
Q: What kind of plantation would I be able to get funding for?
A: The funding doesn’t just cover woodlands – whether you’re looking to plant some hedgerows or are interested in large wood pastures, woodlands and orchards on a bigger piece of land, it’s possible. The Community Forest wants to encourage anyone in ownership of all sizes of land to consider applying for funding, no matter what their vision may be. We will build the package around you and deliver it in a way which will suit your needs.
Q: How much funding can I get for planting on my land?
A: In some cases, we can fund 100 per cent of the costs towards delivering, planting and maintaining your trees, so you don’t have to pay for a thing. The amount of funding you can receive isn’t prescriptive – it will depend on the size of your land and what you want to do with it, so costs will vary, and we can help to apply for the funds you need to cover them.
Q: What costs does the funding include?
A: The funding not only covers the planting of the trees, but it can also include the maintenance costs including watering. So many trees that are planted are not properly looked after, so this funding ensures they can be cared for and gives them the best start to grow.
We will be able to advise you on what you can and can’t apply for, and what kind of project might be suitable for your land.
Q: Where and what kind of trees can I plant on my land?
A: We aim to be supportive, rather than directional, in our approach to planting. We don’t dictate where the trees will go – our goal is simply to facilitate the process of encouraging landowners to use their land to improve their natural surroundings.
We can advise on where to source your trees and what species would be most suitable for the kind of soil and environment where you’ll be planting them. We want to offer as much advice and support as possible to create the most successful project for you.
Q: Why should I consider using my land to plant trees?
A: This is such a rewarding project to embark upon – you are able to witness the physical change you are making to the environment, whilst leaving a mark behind and creating a legacy which your grandchildren and future generations can enjoy.
You’ll be able to see a real difference in the area as the trees and plants flourish. Planting trees benefits the natural surroundings on such a huge scale, particularly with blocks of woodland which can create a new habitat for wildlife to thrive in. It’s so exciting to imagine what the landscape will look like when your kids or grandkids reach your age.
To find out more about applying for funding to plant trees on your land, visit plymouthandsouthdevoncommunityforest.org
For enquiries, contact psdcf@plymouth.gov.uk
