ACRES Scheme – Planting Trees In Riparian Buffer Zones

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The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES)

The ACRES Scheme offers a specific action for planting trees in riparian buffer zones, which is crucial for protecting water quality and enhancing biodiversity. Here are the key points regarding this action:
Eligibility: The action is available on parcels with an Eligible hectare greater than 0.01 and can be selected on CP and Non-CP parcels claimed by the participant for the remainder of the ACRES contract. It is not available on areas designated as SAC/SPAs, NHAs, pNHAs, Annex 1 Grasslands, or Breeding Wader Hotspots.

Riparian Buffer Planting Plan

Tree Planting Options: Farmers can choose between planting trees in rows or groups, maintaining at least 4m spacing. The row option is available on peatland habitats but restricted to low numbers.

Tree Species: All trees must be of Irish provenance, and the minimum height for purchased trees is 60cm. Participants must select at least 2 species from a specified list.

Fencing and Protection: Trees must be fitted with a staked tree shelter of a minimum 75cm height and protected from livestock damage with appropriate fencing. Grass and competing vegetation must be controlled around the trees annually.

Payment: The riparian buffer zone measure offers a payment of €1,530/ha/year with a maximum area of 2ha eligible for payment in the measure.

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Description
Detailed Information
How many plants do I need?
Planting
Aftercare
ACRES General Verses ACRES Co-operation

What is the ACRES Scheme?

The ACRES Scheme (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme) is a €1.5 billion environmental programme introduced by the Irish government under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Running from 2023 to 2027, the scheme is designed to support farmers who take steps to protect biodiversity, improve water quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on their land.

ACRES encourages practical, nature-friendly farming practices. These include planting native hedgerows like whitethorn, sowing multi-species grasslands, protecting existing habitats, and managing field margins and watercourses.

The ACRES scheme is a flagship agri-environment climate initiative in Ireland, aimed at addressing biodiversity decline and providing income support for farmers. It is part of Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan and is designed to support farmers who implement approved environmental actions on their land. The scheme offers various payment options, including ACRES General for individual farmers and ACRES Co-operation for collaborative projects. Farmers can earn up to €10,500 annually for specific actions that benefit the environment, such as planting native hedgerows, sowing multi-species grasslands, and protecting existing habitats. The scheme also supports the creation of small native forests on farmed land through the Native Tree Area (NTA) Scheme. For more information on how to qualify and apply for the ACRES scheme, farmers can visit agfood.ie or consult with advisors.

What Qualifies for the ACRES Scheme?

To qualify for ACRES, farmers must commit to implementing a selection of approved environmental actions on their land. These actions include, but are not limited to:

Detailed Information

The ACRES Scheme under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment (ACRES) initiative in Ireland includes planting trees In Riparian Buffer Zones. This initiative aims to protect water quality by enhancing nutrient uptake while also supporting biodiversity. In some situations, moreover, new riparian buffer zones will benefit from the planting of appropriate tree species. This addition will enhance erosion interception and provide improved bank stability. Additionally, tree roots and canopies will intercept subsurface and aerial pollutant pathways.

Tree Species: All trees must be of Irish provenance, and the minimum height for purchased trees is 60cm. Participants must select at least 2 species from a specified list.

Fencing and Protection: Trees must be fitted with a staked tree shelter of a minimum 75cm height and protected from livestock damage with appropriate fencing. Grass and competing vegetation must be controlled around the trees annually.

Payment: The riparian buffer zone measure offers a payment of €1,530/ha/year with a maximum area of 2ha eligible for payment in the measure.

How many plants do I need?

A minimum of 10 trees and can deliver a maximum of 200 trees.

Planting

Select a Riparian buffer zone where tree planting will benefit water quality.
Select the Riparian buffer zone(s) for planting trees by drawing one point on the zone. Then enter the number of trees that will be planted in the chosen zone(s) in the quantity box provided.
You must deliver a minimum of 10 trees and can deliver a maximum of 200 trees.
You must complete planting trees by 31 March 2024.
Plants must be of Irish Origin or Irish Provenance and purchased from DAFM-registered professional operators.
All plants purchased for this action must have an accompanying plant passport and participants must ensure that they retain the plant passport(s) for the duration of the contract.
Purchased trees must be a minimum of 60cm in height.
Plant at least 2 species from the list available on their website.
Do not plant in the vicinity of overhead cables, within 20m of railway lines and within 60m of a neighbouring dwelling house for clearance distance for overhead lines.
Fit a staked tree shelter that is a minimum of 75cm in height to each tree and use appropriate fencing to protect trees from livestock damage. Livestock cannot access a Riparian Buffer Zone – Grassland or Arable.
Annually, you must control grass and competing vegetation around the trees. It will be necessary, from time to time, to lift the tree shelter and remove any weeds/grass that may be growing within the shelter.
You must replace failed or dead trees during the next dormant season.
There must not be more than 200 trees planted per hectare. For example, you can plant a maximum of 20 trees in 0.1 hectares. The minimum spacing between trees is 2 metres.

When planting, we recommend adding a sparing amount of bone meal to the soil. Rootgrow is also very effective for speeding up establishment. If you have a good supply of horse manure, this can be used provided it is well rotted and crumbly., Mix it in well, and don’t use too much.

We have a useful How To Plant a Hedge guide with lots of tips on getting the best from your plants. We also send a printed copy with your plants, so you have it to hand.

Aftercare

Aftercare of a Fruit Tree

Aftercare of fruit trees involves a combination of science, diligence, and patience. Here are some key points to consider for the proper aftercare of your fruit trees:
Watering: Ensure your trees are watered, especially in warm weather, to prevent drought stress. Use a 2-gallon watering can twice a week during dry weather in the growing season. Always water at the base of the trees to avoid interception by weeds and grass.

Pruning: Prune your fruit trees every year to improve fruit quality, increase air movement, and develop the tree’s structure. This is also an opportunity to remove dead or diseased material.

Pest and Disease Management: Monitor for common pests and diseases, using organic methods for control to maintain tree health and fruit quality.

Soil and Feeding: Choose the right soil and fertilizers for your trees. A balanced feed in late autumn is best for using organic feeds.

Planning: Plan your fruit tree garden carefully, considering your climate, space, and the types of fruit you want to grow.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your fruit trees thrive and produce a bountiful harvest.

If you have any other questions about our ACRES Scheme Plants, please do drop us an email, or call our team of hedging experts on +353 44(0)9606864

ACRES General Verses ACRES Co-operation

The difference between ACRES General and ACRES Co-operation

General: available nationally (outside of the high priority geographical area defined for the ACRES Co-operation approach) and offers a range of actions for individual farmers, both targeted and general.

Co-operation: available to farmers in defined high priority geographical areas, and involves results-based payments as well as bespoke farm and landscape actions. Contracts have been awarded for the management of Co-operation Projects (CP), and farmers will be supported by new teams, who will develop local action plans for their zones.

Check out map of each of the zones and the teams who will manage them: