Tree Health Pilot (THP)
Forestry Commission · England
The Tree Health Pilot (THP) is a grant scheme designed to slow the spread of pests and diseases affecting trees in England. It supports tree owners and managers with funding for felling, treatment, restocking, infrastructure, and biosecurity measures.
Summary
Deadline
30 Mar 2029
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
The Tree Health Pilot (THP) is a grant scheme designed to slow the spread of pests and diseases affecting trees in England. It supports tree owners and managers with funding for felling, treatment, restocking, infrastructure, and biosecurity measures.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Not specified
Business size
SME
Industries
Forestry, land management, environmental conservation
Match funding
Needs verification
Requirements
Owners and managers of trees or woodlands affected by specified pests and diseases Land managers and woodland owners in England meeting Tree Health Pilot eligibility per Forestry Commission guidance. Tree health management, pest and disease control, woodland resilience
Eligible applicants
Owners and managers of trees or woodlands affected by specified pests and diseases
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Amount needs verification
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
Grant reimburses eligible pilot activity costs per payment rates in scheme manual.
Payment type
Reimbursement
Eligible scope
Tree health management, pest and disease control, woodland resilience
Eligible expenses
- Site surveys, biosecurity planning, tree health assessments
- Biosecurity training, workshops, advisory support
Ineligible costs
- Cannot claim funding for work already started before agreement
- cannot claim duplicate funding for the same activity
Application and risks
Application platform
Forestry Commission application process via email submission and expression of interest forms
Competitiveness
Competitive Selection
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Initial contact within 2 to 6 weeks of application submission; additional eligibility assessment and site visit may be required
Application sections
Not specified
Application components
- Expression of interest form, site assessment, full application form, supporting evidence (maps, quotes), SBI number
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
Not specified
Assessment criteria
- Contribution to research and learning, effectiveness in managing pests and diseases, positive plant health outcomes
Decision risks
Competitive scheme; eligibility subject to site assessment and Forestry Commission scoring
Timeline and partners
Opening date
1 Aug 2021
Project duration
Per agreement; maintenance paid for 3 years if restocking grant awarded
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Not specified
Consortium requirements
- Single applicant land manager/owner per THP application.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Initial Research Grant","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Training Grant","value":"Included (biosecurity training webinars and support packages)"},{"label":"Future Funding (Subject to Stage Gate)","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"In-Kind Support","value":"Advisory support, workshops, and specialist guidance"},{"label":"Intent to Apply Deadline","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Organisational Requirements","value":"Must manage trees affected by specific pests or diseases (e.g. ash dieback, oak processionary moth, Phytophthora ramorum, spruce bark beetle); minimum grant value of £500"},{"label":"Governance Requirements","value":"Must comply with Forestry Commission rules, statutory notices (SPHN), and environmental regulations"},{"label":"Monitoring Requirements","value":"Applicants must keep records, submit evidence (receipts, photos), and may undergo site inspections"},{"label":"Doctoral Studentships","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Industry Leverage Expectation","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Funding Structure","value":"Covers costs for felling, treatment, infrastructure, restocking, maintenance (up to 3 years), facilitation, and biosecurity items; includes fixed £475 support package for SPHN holders"},{"label":"Renewal Structure","value":"Pilot extended until full national Tree Health scheme is launched"},{"label":"Environmental & EDI Requirements","value":"Focus on improving tree health, biodiversity, and resilience of woodlands and treescapes"},{"label":"important notes","value":"Funding available for both woodland and non-woodland trees; group applications required for certain tree diseases; statutory compliance required if pests/diseases are identified; activities must not begin before agreement is signed"}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- 30 Mar 2029
- Funding amount
- Amount needs verification
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant funding (capital, maintenance, and support packages)
- Payment type
- Reimbursement
- Audience
- Mixed
- Industry
- Forestry, land management, environmental conservation
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- Not specified