How Tree Planting Schemes and Woodland Restoration Protect Farms

Managing farmland can be a complex balance of keeping natural elements for their benefits, and clearing space for your crops and livestock. Agriculture is a part of nature, so it can benefit from developed habitats and well-maintained woodland

At The Habitat Restoration Co., we provide a quality service for woodland restoration, management, and maintenance, helping your local woodland to thrive. In this article, we’ll explore the vital role of woodland for farms so you can see why it’s important to protect these iconic habitats.

What are Tree Planting Schemes in the UK?

Tree planting schemes aim to restore much of our national heritage of woodland that has been lost over the years due to industry and development. In general, these schemes provide a grant that goes towards the replanting and maintenance of trees, with the end goal of long-term recovery for our woodland.

The government offers and oversees many of these tree planting initiatives, which include:

Regulatory approval and grant funding for landscape and woodland design projects that comply with the UK Forestry Standard.
Up to £150/hectare and 70% contribution for specialist needs (capped at £30,500) via a Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG).
£10,000+ per hectare for new woodland through the English Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO).
A grant for restocking certain trees to prevent disease and pests under the Tree Health Pilot Scheme.
Multiple tree and seed production funds (closed for applications as of September 2025) which include:

Further income by selling carbon credits for offsetting other carbon emissions via the Woodland Carbon Code.
Funding from government partners such as Forestry England, the Woodland Creation Partnership, and community forests in England.

Before applying for any of these grants, it’s a good idea to take a look at the environmental impact of your proposed project – both the benefits and the negatives. This is true for any development, whether you’re clearing space for agriculture or restoring nature on your land. Monitoring your environmental impact can involve an EIA, the UKFS, or looking at your Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).

How do Trees Protect British Farmland?

There are three main ways that woodland can protect your farm:

1. Erosion Control

Tree roots help to hold soil in place. During heavy rainfall and winds, soil can be shifted, leading to erosion and run-off into rivers. Not only can this damage the environment, but it can also have lasting impacts on your farm’s efficiency – eventually leading to a loss of useable land. Trees prevent this, keeping your farmland intact while reducing damage to local rivers and habitats.

2. Water Regulation

Heavy rainfall can lead to nutrient run-off, as well as erosion. These nutrients are vital to the health and quality of your crops. Trees can absorb the excess water from heavy rain, preserving the nutrients in your soil.

3. Pest Management

Woodland provides habitats for many creatures, but most notably for farms this includes birds of prey. Birds have varied diets which include many of the pests you’ll naturally encounter on a farm such as mice, bugs, and rabbits. This can help to protect your crops while reducing reliance on harmful pesticides.

Incorporating and maintaining woodland may at first seem counter-intuitive, as it will cost money and use up resources & nutrients that could go towards your crops. But with their many benefits, you will soon find that the positives outweigh these factors by a landslide.

The Benefits of Trees and Woodland for Farms

Alongside protecting your agricultural assets, trees and woodland offer far reaching benefits for your farm and beyond. These benefits span across the environmental, your farm health, and socio-economic aspects.

Environmental Benefits

Improved air quality. Dust and pesticide filtering to prevent the spread and impact of harmful substances.
Climate resilience. Natural buffering for climate change through carbon capture and rainfall management.
Biodiversity. Achieve your Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) goals through diverse habitats from trees, residing animals, and related plant life.

Farm Health

Livestock shelter. Shade and protection for farm animals, defending them passively against harsh weather.
Increased yields. Protected soil and maintained nutrients through the prevention of erosion and run-off can lead to a more stable environment for crops, increasing your yield and quality.

Socio-Economic Benefits

Diversified income. You could unlock new ways of generating income such as tree-related crops (like nuts and fruits) or sustainable timber.
Improved aesthetics. Worker happiness can sometimes go neglected, so having a refreshing natural spot like woodland can provide both a welcome change in scenery, and a nice spot to relax.

How to Make Tree Planting Schemes More Effective

Tree planting can only go so far towards protecting and maintaining your woodland. To ensure the best overall result, you need to take additional steps on top of the requirements for these schemes.

Woodland management ensures the needs of your woodland are overseen, and that any issues or opportunities can be addressed as they arise.

Arboriculture services tend to the needs of individual trees and overall woodland care, ensuring your forests can thrive.

Other techniques such as species diversity – including a mix of native trees and shrubs to mimic a natural woodland structure – can also have positive effects on the impact and longevity of your woodland.

Check out our tips for making tree planting schemes more effective >

Protect and Maintain Your Woodland with The Habitat Restoration Co.

Trees are an integral part of your farm’s infrastructure. From protecting your crops and land, to providing benefits to the environment and society at large, they are a vital consideration when planning your farmland.

At The Habitat Restoration Co., we can support you with your woodland – from management planning to tree planting and aftercare. If you’re interested in our services, please get in touch!

Read on with our developer’s guide to woodland management >
Explore the role of woodland management for rewilding initiatives >