Native Tree Area Scheme

The Native Tree Area Scheme supports Irish farmers to create small native forests (0.1-1.0 ha per intervention, up to a maximum of 2 ha per farm holding) on farmed land, either as standalone native woodland (NTA 1) or as native forest combined with a water protection setback (NTA 2). It provides an establishment grant plus fencing support and up to 10 years of annual premiums, without requiring a full afforestation licence.

Grant range: Starts from €5,058 per hectare
Funding level: 100%
Support type: Grant
Last checked: 3 Sept 2026

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About this scheme

The Native Tree Area Scheme lets farm landowners create small native forests without a full afforestation licence, under the Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022. Two interventions are available: NTA 1 (Creation of Small Native Forests, 0.1-1.0 ha blocks) and NTA 2 (Creation of Native Forests for Water Protection, combining tree planting with an undisturbed water setback). Sites are matched to Scenario 1 (Dry Mineral Soil) or Scenario 2 (Wet Mineral Soil), each with its own native species mix. Both interventions combined are capped at 2.0 ha per farm holding. Financial support includes establishment grants, a fencing grant, and an annual premium for up to 10 years, with NTA 2 paying a slightly higher premium than NTA 1. Eligible applicants are sole freehold landowners aged 18+ using the land for farming, who engage a Registered Forester to apply via DAFM's iNET system. Payments cannot be claimed on the same parcel as ACRES or the Organic Farming Scheme.

Who can apply

Applicant must be the sole freehold owner of the land
Must be aged 18 or over on the date of application and hold a PPSN (companies must provide company registration/CRO details)
The site must currently be used for farming (dairy farming, livestock production, cultivation of fodder or tillage crops, or growing of horticultural crops)
The site must not be disturbed or the land cover changed in preparation for gaining entry to the scheme
Lands must be free of ownership constraints such as joint grazing rights, turbary, or rights of way
Area thresholds apply at farm holding level for the duration of the CAP Strategic Plan (2023-2027): each planted area must be at least 0.1 ha and no more than 1.0 ha (or no more than 20m wide), with a maximum of 2.0 ha of tree planting per farm holding overall
Commitments are for a minimum period of 10 years
Payments cannot be claimed under the Native Tree Area Scheme and ACRES or the Organic Farming Scheme on the same parcel of land
NTA 1 (Creation of Small Native Forests): establishment grant of €5,058/ha (1st instalment) plus €1,686/ha (2nd instalment, from year 4); annual premium of €2,206/ha for up to 10 years (up to €22,060/ha total)
NTA 2 (Creation of Native Forests for Water Protection): same establishment grant structure as NTA 1; annual premium of €2,284/ha for up to 10 years (up to €22,840/ha total)
Fencing grant also available, capped at roughly €1,440-€3,080/ha depending on fence type and NTA

How to apply

Engage a Registered Forester to prepare and submit the application via the Department's online IFORIS iNET system, accompanied by a Biodiversity Map and Fencing Map.
Await pre-planting approval (Form 1) from the Department; approval does not guarantee entry to the scheme and is valid for up to 3 years.
Once approved and notified in writing of the contract commencement date, plant according to the assigned Native Tree Area Scenario (Scenario 1: Dry Mineral Soil, or Scenario 2: Wet Mineral Soil); actions carried out before the notified commencement date are not eligible for payment.
Submit Form 2 (Application for 1st Instalment Grant and 1st Premium) within 12 weeks of completing planting.
Submit Form 3 (Application for 2nd Instalment Grant) from 4 years after completion, and Form 4 (Application for Subsequent Premiums) annually thereafter via the Department's online services (agfood.ie), with premiums payable for up to 10 years in total.