NPI Planting Small Woodland (160 trees 0.05ha)

Class of Action:
Habitats
Category:
Grassland
Payment Rate:
€1,247.48/ woodland

Note: The most up to date specifications are available on the dedicated ACRES / ACRES CP website under Non Productive Investments – Click Link Here

About This Action:

Provide new woodland habitats. Good for small birds, insects and wild mammals, creates extra habitat diversity in the landscape and helps sequester Carbon.

  1. Plant at least 160 trees for the 0.05 Ha option and 300 trees for the 0.09 Ha option 
  2. Select at least 4 native tree species. 
  3. Don’t plant trees near neighbouring houses, railway lines or overhead wires.  
  4. Fence of the small woodland from livestock and protect from Deer and Hares. 
  5. Control competing vegetation and replace failed trees. 

For the full details on requirements for this action you should read the Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Specifications for Non Productive Investments.

You can find them by clicking here.

Implementation Notes

Do not allow livestock to access the new woodland, Adequate protection from Deer required.

Additional Guidance

• It is recommended that at least 4 species of tree should be planted with no one species accounting for more than 50% of the total.

• Planting trees near salmonid rivers require consultation with Inland Fisheries Ireland and additional measures to reduce sediment loss to rivers, particularly during spawning seasons (November/ December) and when eggs are in gravels (January February), to protect these sensitive rivers, trees should be planted without the use of heavy machinery near sensitive watercourses to reduce possible sedimentation.

• Trees planted in small woodlands should be located near existing hedgerows, scrub areas or woodland. These areas will facilitate faster colonisation by woodland species of plants, insects and other animals.

• Do not remove existing trees, scrub or hedgerow to facilitate the tree planting action. In areas that are grazed, tree guards/barbed protectors must be used.

• All field boundaries must be maintained.
 
Additional Guidance is available in the Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marines NPI Specifications for Non Productive Investments.

Good Locations:

  • Low Scoring Grasslands or Rough Grazing fields.
  • Beside existing Scrub/ Woodlands or Hedgerows.
  • On long established Bracken stands with Woodlands plants e.g. Bluebells.

 

Poor Locations:

  • Where breeding waders are an objective.
  • Where Geese or Swans are an objective.
  • Winterage.
  • Peatlands.
  • Exposed coastal sites.

I applied for a small woodland but the area I had in mind is a bit smaller than I thought. Can I plant the 0.05 ha wood instead?

No, you must deliver the action that was applied for and approved. If you change your mind you should withdraw the approved action and apply for your preferred option in the next NPI window.

I have a site beside an existing woodland, can I apply for this NPI here?

Yes, new woodlands will benefit from plants and animals from these moving in from nearby established hedges, scrub or woodland habitats.

I have some Sycamore seedlings growing near a big tree on the land. Can I dig them up and plant in the woodland?

No – Plants must be of Irish Origin or Irish Provenance and purchased from DAFM
registered professional operators. Sycamore is not a native tree and should not be included in any planting mix. For a list of native species suitable for this action see the Specifications for Non Productive Investments. A link can be found on the “What’s Involved” section of this page. 

Consider These Complimentary Actions:

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NPI Planting New Hedges

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NPI Installation of Heritage Gates

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€496.61 / Gate
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NPI Installation of Gates

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NPI Hedgerow Rejuvenation

Payment Rate:
€18.88/ m