WIS Element 5 – Seed Stand Management
Introduction
The Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS) Element 5 – Seed Stand Management provides for a fixed Seed Stand Management grant.
Operations must have the potential to improve the quality of the registered seed stands.
Eligible operations
Support will be available for the following operations:
- Preparation of a site-specific Seed Stand Management plan (see below)
- Provision of access paths
- Control of ground vegetation
- Ongoing maintenance (including vegetation management)
- Non-commercial thinning/pruning to open up crowns to promote seed production
- Maintenance of documented record of specific operations undertaken to enhance seed production
- Pre thinning tree marking
- Management and removal of natural regeneration
- Deer management and Deer management plan
- Forest protection (fencing, tree guards and other measures)
- Clearance of invasive species such as laurel and rhododendron
- Costs associated with non-commercial tree felling, where appropriate, tree felling on highly sensitive parts of the site, where alternative, non-conventional techniques are required, including manual felling in riparian zones
- Woodland edge management
- Maintenance of open spaces, rides and glades
Please note: a site-specific Seed Stand Management Plan must be submitted in support of the application. A template can be found on pages 52-53, Annex 6 of Woodland Improvement Scheme 2023-2027 (PDF).
Grant rates
|
Support measure |
Fixed Grant (€/ha) |
|---|---|
|
(WIS) Element 5 – Seed Stand Management |
€1,200 |
|
|
Funding
The Scheme will support the improvement and management of seed stands which are classified as “Selected” or “Tested” for the following species:
- Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur)
- Sessile oak (Quercus petraea)
- Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)
- Spanish chestnut (Castanea sativa)
- Silver birch (Betula pendula)
- Downey birch (Betula pubescens)
- Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)
- Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii)
The Scheme will also support the management of sessile oak and pedunculate oak seed stands within ancient woodland, where those seed stands have been registered in the category “Source Identified” for gene conservation.
The scheme allows for new seed stands to be registered on the National Register of Forest Basic Material at which point they will become eligible to apply for support.
The maximum eligible area is five hectares and ten hectares for oak, although the total area of the seed stand can be larger.
Payment for Ecosystem Services
An annual Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) of €500/ha/year, payable for seven years encourages forest owners of productive forests to maximise various ecosystem services.
These ecosystem services include carbon sequestration, fuelwood, the protection of water and soil, forest genetic resource, pest and disease resilience, climate change regulation, the control of floodwaters, pollination, recreation, tourism, education and cultural heritage.
In addition, seed stands also require continued management to be able to provide the maximum range of ecosystem services.
Eligibility
- Individuals must be over 18 years of age and hold a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN). Companies must provide their company registration details (CRO number).
- Applicants for technical approval must be the owner, leaseholder or joint manager of the land at the time of the application. Exceptions to this rule will only apply where:
- the owner is deceased, and their legal representative submits the application; or
- the owner consents in writing to the submission of the application in the name of a designated third party.
- In order to qualify for payment of woodland improvement grants, the applicant must own, lease or be in joint management of the lands proposed for improvement. Applicants must provide documentary evidence of ownership and of leasing or joint management where relevant if requested.
- It is not permitted to apply for more than one Element on the same plot.
Application procedure
The applicant and a Registered Forester (List of Registered Foresters, PDF) must complete the application form following a site visit and detailed field assessment by the Registered Forester.
Only one element can be selected per application form. Approval is only valid up to and including the expiry date specified in the letter of approval.
Relevant publication
Further information
Contact your local Teagasc Forestry Adviser