The Welsh Government has encouraged farmers and landowners in Wales to apply for tree planting grants which will pay higher rates from this week onward. The new incentive payment worth £825 for every hectare planted with native broadleaf trees is now available to those making an application for a tree planting grant. This is a one additional one-time payment that exists alongside the Woodland Creation Grant rates, which pay up to £13,294 per hectare.
Applications for Woodland Creation support open again today (4 March 2026) giving farmers the opportunity to present tree planting proposals that work for their businesses. The higher payment is available for woodland planting that is predominantly native broadleaf and contains no more than 20% conifers, and delivers a minimum of 800 stems per hectare.
The new Sustainable Farming Scheme means that farmers who wish to qualify for the scheme must complete a Tree and Hedgerow Planting Opportunity Plan, and plant at least 0.1 hectares of trees by the end of 2028.
The support available under these tree planting grants are additional payments above the Universal Payment and the aim is to support tree planting and encourage planting beyond the minimum requirement. According to the Welsh Government, further details of other Optional and Collaborative Actions will be published before the end of March.
In a statement, the Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Huw Irranca Davies said:
“This is an excellent opportunity for landowners and farmers to explore whether they have land which would benefit from additional tree planting, such as integrating shelterbelts or agroforestry to provide shade and shelter benefits to livestock. The payment recognises the ecosystem benefits delivered by native woodland, including improved biodiversity, carbon capture and air quality.
This support gives farmers across Wales a renewed opportunity to bring forward tree planting proposals that work for their businesses. The changes introduced for 2026 are designed to make woodland creation simpler, more flexible and better aligned with practical farm realities, while continuing to deliver important environmental benefits for the long term.”
For more information about the Woodland Creation Scheme information visit:
Small Grants – Woodland Creation
