Frequently Asked Questions

Both the land and the trees remain in your ownership. SWS Forestry plant the trees for you and carry out all necessary fencing and ground preparation works that are required for plantation establishment. SWS Forestry then maintain the plantation for 4 years. You remain the owner of the land and the trees, you also receive your forestry premium for 20 years (15 years for non-farmers).

99% of the time the forestry grants will cover all the cost of works carried out. This will depend on the site conditions and specific Forest Service requirements.

From 2023 onwards premiums are payable to farmers for 20 years and to non-farmers for 15 years.

Exceptions to this are FT8 Agroforestry and NTA 1 and NTA 2.

There are different aspects that will dictate what will be planted on your land. A forester will call and walk your land and discuss your options with you. There is no fee and no obligation to plant.

The trees that are planted will dictate the premiums you receive. The premiums range from €350 to €2,284 per hectare, depending on the species planted.

Your forester will apply to the Department of Agriculture for approval to plant the species of trees he/she thinks will be most suited to the land type. The forester will consult with the land owner on this decision also. The Department of Agriculture may approve the application made or they might request some changes to be made to the application. In this instance your forester will meet with the Department of Agriculture Forest Inspector and discuss the planting approval.

SWS Forestry will take care of all paper work. The forester along with the head office team complete all the necessary paper work and liaise with the Department of Agriculture regarding the grant applications and relevant paper work.

You can not plant under an ESB line. There are minimum set backs for planting near an ESB line. The setback will depend on the size of the line. You will recieve compensation for the loss of tree planting rights under the ESB line, this is paid as a lump sum. SWS Forestry look after the application for the compenation once the site has been planted.

In the event of the death of the person claiming the premium, all premiums due will be released to next of kin, once certain formalities are carried out. Immediate family members will continue to receive farmer rate of premium if that is the rate being paid. To transfer premia between living family members is more complex but it can be done.

Yes

Yes

The Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture based in Wexford regulate all aspects of Irish Forestry.

Irish conifer crops mature quicker than anywhere else in Europe which is a huge advantage. The time involved varies with the type of land planted and species of tree planted. Typically our main crop is Sitka spruce which can be mature in 30 years.

Generally all work necessary to establish a forest crop which includes all paperwork, fencing, drainage, ground preparation, supply of plants, planting, supply of fertilizer, fertilising, replacement of failures, vegetation control, shaping in the case of broadleaves etc.  This will depend on the site conditions and specific Forest Service requirements.

• First get a forester to assess the land and fill out a Form 1
• Complete your planting operation
• Your forester and yourself fill out a Form 2 to apply for the grant and premium
• After a Forest Service inspection the grant would be paid to the company and the premium to the client.

Yes

Assessments for planting are free.