Forest Creation Grant (National Forest)
Funding
Contact funder
Deadline
31 January 2027
Location
National Forest
Applications
Deadline: 31 January 2027
Overview
The Forest Creation Grant is run by the National Forest Company for landowners and tenants within the National Forest, or close to its boundary, in the Midlands of England. It funds tree planting and forest creation that benefits nature, communities and local enterprise, for schemes from 0.25 hectares upwards. The grant works from a menu of standard-cost items, each with a fixed rate paid either once or annually. The National Forest says these rates are benchmarked against national tree-planting and agri-environment grants and reviewed every year. The listing does not give a maximum grant per applicant. Examples of funded farm projects include wood pasture with tree clusters and shelterbelts for shade and outwintering, mixed orchard trees as small-scale silvopasture on hard-to-manage former arable fields, and shelterbelts along watercourses to reduce flood risk and protect water quality. Individuals, landowning businesses, incorporated organisations, partnerships and community groups can apply if they can enter a legal agreement and show legal control of the land. Larger or more complex schemes may need a Single Business Identifier from the Rural Land Register. The grant does not fund schemes under 0.25 hectares, planting required by planning conditions or felling licences, work already funded elsewhere, buildings or vehicles, work started before an offer, or Christmas trees. Grants are competitive. The scheme opened on 1 April 2026 and closes at 11:59pm on 31 January 2027. The best first step, the National Forest says, is a visit to your land from one of its advisers. Contact it through its tree planting page. Who it suits: farmers in or near the National Forest planting shelterbelts, wood pasture or new woodland. Official source: https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/forest-creation-grant-1. Last checked by GrantMatch on 14 October 2026.
Requirements to check
Who can apply:
Also open to: community groups
Key requirements:
- Land in or near the National Forest
- Minimum 0.25 hectares
- No work before a grant offer
- Closes 31 January 2027
Who can apply: landowners and tenants with land inside or close to the National Forest boundary, including individuals, landowning businesses, incorporated organisations, partnerships and community groups able to enter a legal agreement. Minimum scheme size 0.25 hectares.
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
This grant is for landowners and tenants with land in or near the National Forest area. It suits those wanting to plant trees, create woodland, or improve habitats. It is not for land outside the National Forest boundary.
Regions
No published award history for The National Forest Company, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Some funders do not publish their grants data.
Full details from The National Forest Company, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Supports landowners and tenants within the National Forest or close to the boundary to create woodland, enhance habitats and deliver environmental, community and economic benefits through tree planting and forest creation projects. The grant uses standard-cost items with rates linked to nationally available tree-planting and agri-environment grants.
Check your land on the National Forest boundary map, then contact the National Forest Company through nationalforest.org/grants-and-advice/tree-planting to arrange an adviser visit. Applications close 11:59pm, 31 January 2027.
Loading your grant tools...
Get notified about grants like this
Create a free account to receive alerts when new agriculture, forestry & fishing funding opens.
Create free accountLast updated: 14 October 2026