NEWS STORY : Government Reopens £4.1 Million Forestry Grants to Boost Tree Planting and Domestic Supply
STORY
The UK government has announced the reopening of key forestry grants totalling up to £4.1 million, aiming to enhance domestic tree and seed production in support of ambitious tree-planting targets. The funding is available through three grant schemes: the Tree Production Capital Grant, the Tree Production Innovation Fund, and the Seed Sourcing Grant. These grants are designed to support foresters, researchers, landowners, nurseries, and seed suppliers in increasing the resilience and productivity of tree production. The initiative seeks to ensure a reliable supply of diverse and high-quality trees for future planting, contributing to the government’s environmental goals and supporting green jobs.
Sir William Worsley, Chair of the Forestry Commission, stated:
“Supporting domestic tree and tree seed production can be at the very root of growth opportunities for our sector. Our grants have the potential to ensure there is a reliable supply of diverse and high-quality trees for future planting to the Government’s tree planting targets, improving timber security whilst boosting employment and the wider green economy.”
Previous recipients of these grants include a range of organisations across the public, private, and third sectors. For instance, the Tree Production Capital Grant has enabled community tree nurseries to acquire polytunnels and seed processing equipment, while larger nurseries have invested in machinery to enhance efficiency.
The Tree Production Innovation Fund has supported projects like Rhizocore Technologies, which developed mycorrhizal fungi pellets to improve tree growth and resilience. Dr Toby Parkes, Founder and CEO of Rhizocore, noted that the funding enabled the development of these pellets, which have shown significant improvements in tree growth rates and survival. These grants are part of the government’s broader strategy to meet statutory tree-planting targets, enhance climate resilience, and support biodiversity. Applications are now open, and eligible parties are encouraged to apply to contribute to the UK’s environmental and economic objectives.
