Supporting guidance for Small-scale Tree and Shrub Planting
Date published: 15 December, 2025
For recent changes to this guidance, please see the bottom of the page.
Small-scale tree and shrub planting can provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators, shade and shelter for livestock, connectivity – benefiting a wide range of species by linking semi-natural habitats and deliver for water quality and water temperature. The integration of trees on farms can greatly enhance ecosystem services, for example by storing carbon or stabilising soil and by holding water in the catchment for longer, so helping to reduce flood intensity downstream and mitigate against drought locally.
Which species should I plant?
Plant native species. A list of tree and shrubs considered to be native in different parts of Scotland is provided in Scottish Forestry's Guidance on Seed Sources for Planting Native Trees and Shrubs in Scotland.
Choose a mix of species appropriate to the local soil and site conditions. We recommend you consult Scottish Forestry Bulletin 112 – Creating New Native Woodlands, and the Scottish Forestry's Ecological Site Classification.
Where should I plant?
Small-scale native tree and shrub planting can enhance, create, or restore woodland habitat in many situations and soil types, from riparian woodland through lowland scrub to montane scrub, by increasing the network of small woods, wood pastures, individual trees, agroforestry systems and extended hedgerows.
Under this item, you can plant up to £4950 worth of trees per contract (1,650 trees in total) in a variety of plots across the farm.
This item cannot be applied for on any land classed as sensitive by The Forestry (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (i.e. National Parks, Areas of Outstanding National Beauty, National Scenic Areas, National Nature Reserves, SSSIs, World Heritage Sites, Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Special Areas of Conservation or Special Protection Areas) unless you have prior approval. You must check this before applying.
Suitable areas to plant include within riparian areas, plots to link existing habitats such as hedgerows, field margins and water margins, on sites where trees will help to prevent soil erosion and on areas of the farm where trees will provide shelter and shade.
Do not plant on open habitats which already have high nature value such as species-rich grassland, wetland, heath etc. Contact NatureScot if you are unsure if a site is eligible prior to applying. You must not plant on peatland.
You must not plant on land where it could reduce biodiversity, such as on or in close proximity to fields or habitats used by breeding waders, (e.g. curlew, lapwing, snipe, redshank etc) or where there are Corncrake, Corn bunting or Chough, in accordance with the UK Forestry Standard.
Wildlife benefits from riparian planting
Small-scale tree and shrub planting can help stabilise river banks, limit erosion, provide shelter and create visually attractive wildlife habitat. Trees overhanging riverbanks support wildlife by providing a source of insect food for fish, leaf litter to feed aquatic invertebrates, and fishing posts for kingfishers. Shading by trees is also important to help cool water temperatures during drought periods.
Small-scale riparian planting can benefit river SACs with fish spawning sites and freshwater pearl mussel sites because planting can stabilise banksides, reduce soil erosion and help to keep the river bed free from a build-up of silt. They also provide shade, keeping summer water temperatures down for both pearl mussel and fish populations.
Planting tips
Protect trees from damage by livestock and wild herbivores, by using an appropriate tree stake and guard. Place the stake into the ground to a depth of at least 30 centimetres, with the tip below the lip of the tree-shelter and 10 centimetres above the upper tie.
As this option is for small plots of trees, deer fencing is not eligible through AECS. Where deer are an issue on your holding, you must indicate what steps you are taking to secure the successful establishment of trees.
Any trees planted under the scheme that are damaged by livestock or wild herbivores must be replaced.
Make sure ties do not encircle the tree, so that they can be removed later.
Make sure the top of the tree shelter is rounded or folded to reduce the risk of damage to the emerging tree. Push the tree shelter into the ground to reduce the likelihood of damage by voles. The length of tree shelter required depends on the type of browsing that is likely to occur.