MOREwoods application guidance

MOREwoods funding is available for any landowners or farmers to plant a woodland on their land if: 

• they are not already in receipt of funding for planting a woodland 
• our eligibility criteria are met. 

 Anyone can apply on behalf of the landowner, but they must have the landowner’s permission. 

The MOREwoods initiative is intended to create new habitat for wildlife across the UK.  Projects must plant:  

• at least 0.5 hectare (1.25 acres) of new woodland
• 1,000-1,600 trees per hectare  

The area can be made up of smaller blocks of at least 0.1ha in size, or shelterbelt strips that must be at least 4m wide.  

 MOREwoods cannot support areas of planting within existing woodland or on areas of woodland felled in the last 5 years.  

Through MOREwoods we subsidise up to 75% of the cost of the trees, tree protection, advice and guidance if you choose to plant the trees yourself. 

If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and would like a contractor to plant the trees, we can arrange this for areas of 1 hectare (2.5 acres) and above and cover up to 60% of costs involved.  

Specific costs vary as each quote is calculated to meet the requirements of each individual project. This cost considers elements such as planting density and suitable tree protection. 

For a no obligation quote to see what your new woodland might cost, apply today for MOREwoods.

Applications are through our online application form.

To apply, you will need:

• a map of the area that you would like to plant
• a 6 figure grid reference for the site using OS Maps.

This is used to check the site is eligible for funding and suitable for planting trees.

The application form takes about 15 minutes to complete. You can complete it yourself or ask someone to complete it on your behalf.

By submitting an application you accept that the Woodland Trust will contact you by email, phone and/or post in reference to your application, and to any subsequent tree planting and aftercare related to the scheme. Read our privacy statement.

When planting through MOREwoods you will be unable to continue claiming Basic Farm Payment grants on the newly planted area. Some agricultural grants are unaffected. 

If you are eligible for other woodland creation grants, such as government funding, our advisors will be able to recommend these to you and you may be able to retain your agricultural grants.  If you are unsure, please call us on 0330 333 5303 for advice. 

Regulations differ across the UK so it’s best to check with the Forestry Commission in England or the equivalent for your country if you aren’t sure. 

In England, planning permission is not usually required for forestry work (unless there is a Tree Preservation Order) and may not be needed for buildings or uses of land necessary for forestry. However, planning permission is always required for non-forestry uses of land, buildings, or any other form of development.  

You may need to complete an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) through the Forestry Commission if your site is over 2 hectares (5 acres) or in a sensitive designation. You can check risk levels for your area of proposed planting by using the Forestry Commission land information search. 

To complete an EIA, you will need to consult relevant local stakeholders about your tree planting plans. We recommend checking with: 

• the county archaeologist 
• Environment Agency 
• RSPB 
• your parish council 
• any local neighbours who might be affected. 

We will help with this if your woodland application is approved. 

We cannot provide funding or advice through MOREwoods for any trees that are a condition of a planning application. This includes areas currently awaiting decision through a planning application and those already decided. 

All successful MOREwoods applications will receive a site visit from one of our expert woodland creation advisers. They will discuss your objectives for the woodland and recommend suitable tree species and tree protection for the site. You will then receive a site report with your woodland design and a no obligation quote for the cost of your project. 

If your MOREwoods application is successful, you will need to agree to our terms and conditions and sign our MOREwoods agreement. This includes the need to commit to the care and management of the woodland for at least 30 years as part of the UK Government’s ambition to reach net carbon zero by 2050.

The approvals board meets every 2 weeks to check the eligibility of each application following a desk-based assessment. We aim to respond within 8 weeks of an application and maps being received. This may take longer depending on the volume of applications and whether we require any further information to assess the application.  

A wide variety of native trees is available for MOREwoods projects. Our expert advisers will recommend which species are suitable for your site and planting objectives. 

Learn more about some of the trees we supply in our guide to 31 native tree species.

We reserve the right to amend species mixes depending on stock levels and germination rates.

The trees supplied are all one- to two-year-old saplings ranging from 20-90cm in height. This makes them easy to transport, handle and plant. Saplings this size also establish quickly, and they can reach 2 metres high in around eight years. Don’t worry if they seem small or bare - they’ll grow lots in spring.

Our MOREwoods scheme includes subsidised tree protection. Our expert advisers will discuss the best tree protection for your site with you. 

All trees are delivered during the planting season which typically runs from November to March across most of the UK. We will ask you to supply a delivery address as part of your application. This must be: 

• a registered postal address 
• accessible 
• hard-standing for a 6-wheel truck. Please note gravel is unsuitable due to the offloading method.  

You will be able to select a delivery date when placing your order. It’s important that someone is available at the delivery address between 8.30 - 17.30 on the day of delivery to sign for the trees. We are unable to provide a more specific delivery window. 

Your trees and guards will arrive as a large heavy pallet delivery. The guards will be nested together so take this into account when checking your order. Your trees will be packed in single species bundles, usually of 10 or 25, and are typically in the centre of the pallet, with the guards forming a protective outer shell to prevent damage to fragile roots.

Yes. Please notify the woodland creation team at plant@woodlandtrust.org.uk or call direct on 0330 333 5303 at least 2 weeks before the original planned delivery date so we can notify the nursery in good time to prevent the trees being lifted out of the ground too early. 

Yes. If your circumstances have changed and you wish to cancel your order you will need to contact the woodland creation team at plant@woodlandtrust.org.uk or call direct on 0330 333 5303 at least 2 weeks before the planned delivery date. Refunds can take up to 28 days to process. 

The MOREwoods trees are supplied as bare root stock and will need to be planted within 7 days of delivery. 

After the trees have been delivered, plants should be stored in a dry and frost-free location, in their packaging and ideally within a solid structure such as a shed or storage building. This will ensure the trees are protected from drying out.  

Bare root trees can be kept in their black lined tree bags and cell grown trees can be kept upright in a sheltered area with the root plugs kept moist. Take care to avoid dropping the trees or knocking them – root damage will severely limit tree growth.

If weather conditions prove too adverse for planting, bare root stock should be heeled in to protect it longer term. Choose a well-drained, shaded and protected spot and dig an angled trench. Cut the bundles open to prevent the central trees from drying out and place the trees individually against one side the trench. Backfill with soil to the root collar and heel in around the trees to reduce air pockets around the roots and limit frost formation. Bare root stock can remain heeled in for the duration of the planting season, if necessary.  

You must plant the trees in their long-term home before they come out of dormancy in March/April, otherwise they will put down roots in the trench. 

Follow our guide to three of the most successful methods to plant your new trees.

Following your site visit, your adviser’s report will recommend the density and spacing for planting your trees. Typical planting densities include a tree every 3 metres (1,100 trees per hectare) or a tree every 2.5 metres (1,600 trees per hectare).

Weeding is the most important step in giving your trees the right start. This includes weeding and removing grass from inside the tubes during spring and summer. Explore more aftercare and maintenance advice to help your trees thrive.