Landowners that enter the scheme can qualify for an annual income tax free premium payable for 15 years. The land owner or applicant remains the full owner of the land and the timber. The Basic payment scheme is payable on planted land, see section “Basic payment scheme”

Forest Premium Rates 2015 – 2020

Land Categories

Unenclosed Land means land that was never improved and enclosed by man-made boundaries for agricultural use other than extensive grazing.

Enclosed and Improved Land means land that was enclosed and improved for agricultural use by cultivation, manuring or both, and which is completely surrounded by man-made boundaries and usually shown as such in Ordnance Survey maps of scale 6 inches to 1 mile (1:10560).

Afforestation grants cover the costs of establishing a plantation including, ground preparation, plants, planting, Vegetation control, fencing and four years maintenance. Therefore it is cost free to establish and maintain a plantation. Forestry Services Ltd. complete all paperwork on your behalf to ensure the process is as straightforward as possible.

Species Composition in Grant & Premium Categories:

To be eligible for grant aid each plot within a plantation must conform to one of the following Grant/Premium Categories (GPC’s).

GPC 1 – Unenclosed land
All approved broadleaves and conifers planted on unenclosed land receive the unenclosed grant and premium rates.

GPC 2 – Sitka spruce/ Lodgepole Pine
This plot is made up of Sitka spruce or lodgepole pine. For landscape purposes, it is advisable to introduce a small number of other species into this plot. This plot on its own as a plantation is not eligible for grant aid.

GPC 3 – 10% Diverse Conifer e.g. Sitka spruce and 10% broadleaves
This plot is comprised of an intimate mix of Sitka spruce and/or Lodgepole Pine together with a suitable diverse conifer/ broadleave. The diverse conifer/ broadleave content must be at least 10% of the total number of trees planted. This diverse species can be intimately mixed through the forest or planted in groups through the forest, or a combination of both where silviculturally compatible with the main species.

GPC 4 – Diverse Conifer e.g., Scots pine, Douglas Fir
This plot is made up of acceptable conifer species other than Sitka Spruce and Lodgepole Pine.

GPC 5 – Broadleaf e.g. sycamore
This plot is made up of acceptable broadleaves other than Oak and Beech.

GPC 6 – Oak
This plot is comprised of pure oak. Oak must be planted pure at a stocking rate of 3300 stems per hectare on all sites.

GPC 7 – Beech
This plot is comprised of pure beech. Beech must be planted pure at a stocking rate of 3300 stems per hectare on all sites.

GPC 8 – Alder and Birch
This plot is comprised of pure alder at 2500 stems per hectare. For species diversity, up to 10% of trees planted may comprise of other species intimately mixed or planted in groups.

GPC 9 – Native Woodland Establishment (oak-birch-holly-hazel)
Applicants can apply to establish native woodland over the entire site, or as a plot(s) within a larger afforestation project involving other GPCs, such as GPC 3: 10% Diverse Conifer.

GPC 10 – Native Woodland Establishment (alder-oak woodland)
Applicants can apply to establish native woodland over the entire site, or as a plot(s) within a larger afforestation project involving other GPCs, such as GPC 3: 10% Diverse Conifer.

GPC 11 – Agro-forestry
This plot is comprised of silvopastoral agro-forestry systems which combine forestry and pasture. A stocking rate of 400 – 1000 trees per hectare (equal spacing) is required with minimum eligible plot size of 0.50 ha and plot width of 20m. Acceptable broadleaf species will include oak, sycamore and cherry. Other species, including conifers will be considered on a site by site basis.

GPC 12 – Forestry for Fibre
Italian Alder, Hybrid Aspen, Ecalyptus, Poplar. Stocking shall be a minimum of 2000 plants/ha at establishment.