Pictured above: Stephen Locke

Farmers and landowners still have time to apply for planting grants under the Woodland Creation Grant Scheme - worth up to £3,800 per hectare in some areas.

"The Forestry Commission's woodland planting scheme is staying open to process applications for woodlands grants and has extended the application period for 2010 and 2011 until the funding runs out," explained Stephen Locke of Berrys in Shrewsbury.

"This grant supports the establishment of new woodlands to deliver national and regional priorities such as conservation, recreation and land restoration."

A basic Woodland Creation Grant of up to £1800 per hectare towards the establishment cost is paid to all qualifying applications but now an extra contribution of up to £2000 per hectare can be claimed where applications meet regional priorities. The Forestry Commission has a variety of priorities including increasing the connectivity of our woodland and ancient woodland landscapes, tourism, woodland birds and broadleaved timber production.

On top of this, farmers can claim an annual Farm Woodland Payment of up to £300 per hectare for a further 15 years for planting trees on agricultural land. This grant is in addition to the Single Farm Payment and well designed woods can increase overall capital values.

A regional competitive scoring system is used to select applications that best deliver priorities.

"Woodlands can provide a variety of benefits including carbon sequestration and woodfuel production, both of which are popular at present. There are also opportunities to plant woods to aid new tourism and farm diversification schemes," Stephen added.

Now is the time to apply for these worthwhile grants while the money is available so contact Stephen Locke or Mandy Seedhouse at Berrys in Shrewsbury for advice and further details on 01743 271697 or email Stephen.locke@berrybros.com

For more information about Berrys, please visit their website here: www.berrybros.com