Tree sales are reportedly booming, thanks to landowners taking advantage of the Forestry Commission's Woodland Creation Grants. There are three levels of grant, the highest being £4,800 per hectare, plus £300 per year per hectare for 15 years.
This is for broadleaved woodland that meets the criteria of delivering biodiversity, productivity and recreation and reducing flood risk and soil erosion. The grants end on December 31 of this year, although Defra is negotiating another round of payments for 2014. To apply, visit www.forestry.gov.uk or telephone 0117-906 6000.
* Subscribe to Country Life; Get Country Life on IPad
The Woodland Trust has received backing from the Heritage Lottery Fund for its appeal to restore 52,000 hectares (about 128,500 acres) of ancient woodlands. The charity plans to work with 1,000 landowners in preventing woods from being replanted with conifers and needs to raise £530,000 (www.woodlandtrust.org.uk).
* Follow Country Life on Twitter
* Woodland picture from www.somerset.gov.uk
-
Can't you hear me S.O.S? Our treasured native dog breeds are at risk of extinctionDo you know your Kerry blue terrier from your Lancashire heeler? A simple lack of publicity is often to blame for some of the UK's native dog breeds flying dangerously low under-the-radar.
-
'There are architects and architects, but only one ARCHITECT': Sir Edwin Lutyens and the wartime Chancellor who helped launch his stellar careerClive Aslet explores the relationship between Sir Edwin Lutyens and perhaps his most important private client, the politician and financier Reginald McKenna.
