Rural Payments and Services

This is available for:

• the mechanical clearing of seedling trees following the clearance of woodland where the seedlings are likely to affect the hydrology of a raised bog or blanket bog and hinder the recovery of the open bog habitat, or
• the mechanical clearing of exotic tree species in native woodlands – this item may be required where saplings require removal by clearing saw

This is for higher density seedling clearance that requires a clearing saw (more than 500 stems per hectare) and the management reasons for this operation must be detailed in your Woodland Improvement Grant – Habitats and Species supporting information.

You must record the area designated for seedling tree removal on a map.

We require the site cleared of tree seedlings to be managed in the following years to ensure the site remains clear of all seedlings for a period of at least five years following the date you received your payment.

Please ensure you abide by conditions set out in the Forestry Grant Scheme claim form and guidance.

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