Think big with MOREwoods
Our MOREwoods schemes are ideal for anyone planting on a large scale. You may be eligible for financial support.
Apply nowCredit: Adam Burton / WTML
Credit: Adam Burton / WTML
Trees should be in every landowner’s toolbox. They boost productivity, resilience and the health of the environment, with no need for trade-off in food production. If you’re looking to plant trees on your land, our MOREwoods scheme can provide the trees, funding and expert advice you need to achieve your goals.
How the scheme works
Where 500+ trees are planted on at least half a hectare, we will visit your site, help design your woodland, create a bespoke species mix, supply the agreed trees and tree protection, and cover up to 75% of costs.
If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and would like a contractor to plant the trees for you, we can arrange this and cover up to 60% of all costs for woodland creation of over 1ha.
You can choose to create a shelterbelt, fill a field corner or even plant a small woodland.
Example costs
Costs payable by you depend on project size, species choice and tree protection which can all be discussed and agreed with your advisor. On average, self-planted projects cost the landowner 40-80p per tree plus VAT, or £1-£1.80 per tree plus VAT where planted by a Trust-arranged contractor. A 1ha site at the recommended 1,000-1,600 trees per hectare would therefore cost the landowner around £900-2,000.
Eligibility
MOREwoods is designed to create new habitat for wildlife across the UK. Eligible projects must plant:
- at least 0.5 hectares of new woodland and
- 1000-1600 trees per hectare.
The area can be made up of multiple smaller blocks of at least 0.1ha each. There is no maximum size limit, although larger projects may be advised of other grant schemes available.
MOREwoods cannot fund trees for restocking in established woodland, or planting on areas of recently felled woodland.
The most straightforward applications can complete in as little as four months, but the complexity of your site and need for any third party checks can increase this to 12+ months.
- Submit your application. Processing takes 2-8 weeks before going to our fortnightly approval panel for review.
- When your application is reviewed, you’ll find out the approval panel’s decision the same day.
- Your designated project officer will contact you within four weeks of approval. They will be your point of contact for any questions.
- If approved, our advisors will assess your application in detail and arrange a site visit with you. Specialist checks may also be needed, such as environmental impact assessments or soil surveys. Please note that as these are conducted by third parties, this can add several weeks to the process.
- After you’ve had the site visit and agreed a design, your advisor will provide a final site report. It includes all the information you need to plant a successful woodland and a cost estimate.
- When costs have been finalised with our suppliers and you have confirmed you'd like to proceed, we’ll send you an agreement to sign.
- Once this is signed, you’ll receive a payment request. If we don’t hear from you within six weeks of the request, the scheme will be withdrawn.
- We’ll agree a date with you to deliver your trees between November and March. If you’re eligible for a contractor to plant the trees, we’ll confirm their availability before arranging the delivery date with you.
Why are trees good for farmers?
Growing the right trees in the right place for the right reasons can bring huge benefits to your land, such as:
- creating habitats for wildlife
- improving livestock health and welfare
- flood alleviation
- providing new income streams.
See the evidence
Discover how landowners are planting trees to improve their business.
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Video
Combatting flooding and soil erosion with trees
Leicestershire-based farmer Rachael Spence talks about how planting trees with the MOREwoods scheme has improved drainage and soil quality on her smallholding.
00:02:18
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Video
Planting trees for wildlife, environment and future generations
Through our MOREwoods and MOREhedges schemes, Robert Moore has planted trees to attract wildlife, capture carbon, improve visual impact and make better use of underperforming areas of his 356 hectare Lincolnshire farm.
00:05:04
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Video
Tree planting for climate and biodiversity
Klare Owen is a self-proclaimed hobby farmer near Aberystwyth. In a bid to boost biodiversity, combat climate change and visually transform the landscape, she planted 2,250 trees through MOREwoods and MOREhedges.
00:01:17
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Video
Creating a wood for conservation, community and coppicing
Mark and Liz Lea planted a woodland on their organic Shropshire farm in 2023 with MOREwoods. They hope it will boost biodiversity, benefit their local community and provide wood chip for their biomass boiler.
00:04:06
3,000
landowners supported to plant with MOREwoods since 2010
4 million
trees delivered
3,500
hectares of land planted
MOREwoods is funded by Lloyds Bank to support sustainable farming.
MOREwoods for crofts
If you are a crofter or smallholder in the Crofting Counties of Scotland, contact us to see how we can help. Email plant@woodlandtrust.org.uk and tell us about your tree planting plans for next winter. Remember to include your phone number and address.
Explore more
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Managing trees and woods
Explore expert advice on how to manage your woodland from planting to maturity and care for valuable ancient and veteran trees on your land.
Plant trees
Woodland creation guide
Growing the right tree in the right place, for the right reason and in the right way is essential. This guide details the process, from initial idea to established mature trees and woodland.