Major forestry funds available again to boost tree-planting goals

Today (Thursday, 24 April), foresters, researchers, landowners, nurseries, and seed suppliers will benefit from up to £4.1 million allocated to enhance domestic tree and tree seed production. This funding aims to meet the ambitious statutory tree planting goals necessary for climate, nature, and community, while also supporting green jobs and stimulating sector growth.

This initiative will help us plant resilient treescapes capable of withstanding stresses from climate change, pests, and diseases, while also increasing the capacity to meet the Government’s ambitious tree-planting objectives.

Forestry Commission Chair Sir William Worsley remarked:

“Fostering domestic tree and tree seed production can be fundamental to unlocking growth opportunities within our sector. Our grants are designed to ensure a consistent supply of diverse, high-quality trees for future planting aligned with the Government’s tree planting ambitions, enhancing timber security while creating jobs and bolstering the broader green economy.

“I urge all eligible applicants to step forward so we can support the sector’s growth and sustainability.”

These grants have already seen financial support extended to a diverse array of organizations in the public, private, and third sectors, spanning from established tree and tree seed suppliers to newcomers in the field. More about previously supported projects can be found on our tree and seed production case studies page at: Tree and seed production case studies – GOV.UK.

Through the Tree Production Capital Grant, funding has empowered community tree nurseries to acquire polytunnels and seed processing equipment, as well as aided larger nurseries in investing in machinery to boost their operational efficiency.

The Tree Production Innovation Fund facilitates the introduction of new technologies that enhance the quantity, quality, and diversity of tree planting stock. For instance, it has provided funding for research aimed at reducing synthetic fertilizer use in forestry, ultimately attracting Danish venture capital to launch the natural fertilizer company Re-Genus.

Additionally, it has backed Rhizocore Technologies in creating locally adapted mycorrhizal fungi pellets to boost tree growth, resilience, and soil carbon capture. These pellets are designed to be placed in the topsoil with saplings during planting. They maintain the fungal symbionts alive for months, fostering the formation of mycorrhizal connections with the planted trees. Field data indicates that sites utilizing these pellets experience significant improvements in tree growth and survival rates.

Dr Toby Parkes, Founder and CEO of Rhizocore, stated:

“Funding from the Tree Production Innovation Fund has empowered Rhizocore to advance its products and systems, moving from research to commercial operation, and allowing us to develop the first commercially scalable mechanism for delivering live, locally sourced ectomycorrhizal fungi to field planting sites.

“This foundational effort has set the stage for Rhizocore to provide local ectomycorrhizal fungi to the forestry sector for the future.”

Eligible activities for Seed Sourcing Grant funding include planning and establishing new seed stands and orchards, as well as managing existing seed stands.

Additional Information:

• Les Tree Production Capital Grant (up to £2 million) aims to enhance productivity and resilience among suppliers and is available to tree and tree seed suppliers of all sizes, including new entrants seeking to diversify. Applications close on 25 June.
• Explore the Forestry Commission’s tree and seed production case studies.
• Les Tree Production Innovation Fund (up to £1.5 million) offers funding for innovative projects aimed at overcoming challenges in domestic tree production, improving the quantity, quality, and diversity of tree planting stock in England. Applications close on 9 July.
• Read about previous successful Tree Production Innovation Fund projects.
• Les Seed Sourcing Grant (up to £600,000) offers funding to enhance the quantity, quality, and diversity of tree seed sources in England, ensuring the availability of varied planting stock to meet tree planting goals. This grant closes on 19 August.
• Learn about previous successful Seed Sourcing Grant projects.

To assist those interested in applying, the Forestry Commission is hosting various ‘how to apply’ webinars and ‘knowledge transfer’ events; sign up for free: