ACRES Scheme – Tree Planting
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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.
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:
- Planting native hedgerows (e.g. whitethorn/hawthorn)
- Creating species-rich grassland
- Establishing tree belts or native orchards
- Protecting existing habitats and stone walls
- Creating buffer zones along watercourses
- Reducing chemical fertiliser use
Detailed Information
Tree Belts for Ammonia Capture from Farmyards
To protect water quality by enhancing nutrient uptake while also supporting biodiversity. To capture ammonia emissions from livestock housing or uncovered slurry stores by directing the emissions into the tree belt and through the main canopy.
| Tree Species for the Main Canopy | |
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Alder | Alnus glutinosa |
| Silver Birch | Betula pendula |
| Downy Birch | Betula pubescens |
| Hazel | Corylus avellana |
| Holly | Ilex aquifolium |
| Crab Apple | Malus sylvesteris |
| Scots Pine | Pinus sylvesteris |
| Wild Cherry | Prunus avium |
| Bird Cherry | Prunus padus |
| Sessile Oak | Quercus petraea |
| Pedunculate Oak | Quercus robus |
| Rowan | Sorbus aucuparia |
| Goat Willow | Salix caprea |
| Grey Willow | Salix cinerea |
| Tree Species for the Backstop | |
| Scots Pine | Pinus sylvesteris |
| Holly | Ilex aquifolium |
How many plants do I need?
ACRES APPROVED
Requirements
- This action can be delivered on a full or split LPIS parcel. Where the action is selected on a split LPIS, it must be digitised and marked on the map submitted.
- The minimum depth of the shelterbelt is 30 meters. The minimum parcel area is 0.18
hectares and the maximum area for payment is 0.5 hectares. - Planting of the tree belt must be completed by 31 March 2024.
- The tree belt must be fenced off to protect from livestock at least 1.5 meters out from perimeter trees.
- Purchased trees must be a minimum of 60cm in height and planted at a minimum of 3
meter spacing between each tree. - A minimum number of trees is 1/10m2 of the tree belt area.
- Plants must be of Irish Origin or Irish Provenance and purchased from DAFM-registered professional operators.
- Plant passports are retained for the duration of the contract.
- Plant at least 3 species from the approved list & not more than 25% to be Scots Pine.
- Grass and weeds must be controlled around the trees annually.
- Planting cannot take place within the vicinity of overhead wires, 20 m of railway, or 60 m of neighbouring dwellings. The max distance from the livestock shed to the tree belt is 50m
Planting
To encourage the planting of trees on farms where they will have multiple benefits while
offering flexible planting options to suit the holding.
Requirements
- Planting completed by 31 March 2026.
- Select the LPIS parcel(s) for the tree planting action by drawing one point on the
- map. Then enter the number of trees that will be planted on the chosen parcel(s) in
the quantity box provided. - The min planted is 100 where this action is taken as a priority action and 10 where it is taken as a general action. The max is 300 trees.
- Do not plant in the vicinity of overhead wires, within 20m of railway lines, 60m of a neighboring dwelling house.
- Plants must be of Irish Origin or Irish Provenance and Purchased from DAFM registered professional operators.
- Plant passport retained for the duration of the contract.
- Min of 60cm in height.
- Plant at least 3 native tree species, not more than 25% to be Scots pine.
- Maintain at least 4 metre spacing between each tree.
- Fit each tree (except Scots Pine) with a staked tree shelter, minimum 75cm in height, and fence trees off with appropriate fencing.
- If using individual barbed protectors for parkland or rows, the staked tree shelter and fencing is not required.
- Grass and weeds must be controlled around the trees annually.
- Failed or dead trees must be replaced during the next dormant season
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
For the continued healthy growth of your trees, shrubs or hedging it is vital that you follow the advice below.
Watering
The main reason that plants die within 12 months of having been planted is lack of water. It is essential throughout the spring and summer, to give a heavy enough watering to enable the water to penetrate right down to the deepest root level of the tree. In hot dry spells give the equivalent of 2 bucketfuls every three days.
Weed Control
One of the most common causes of lack of water is competition from grass. When trees are first establishing, the grass roots would be at the same level as the tree roots and are far more efficient at taking up water and thus choke the tree. It is vital that for at least 3 years after planting your tree or hedge has a circle or strip one metre wide completely free of grass.
- Mulch mats are an effective way to stop grass and weeds, although they will require a careful eye to make sure they continue to work. After clearing the ground around the tree, firmly fit the mat by tucking the edges into the soil and put a thick layer of bark mulch on top of this. Be careful not to allow the woodchip to touch the stem as it can cause rot.
- Weed killer is very effective, however it is harmful to the environment. Organic weed killers usually do not kill roots. Weed killer needs to be applied each year for the first 3 years, preferably when the tree is dormant, or just once before applying a mulch mat.
- Mowing or strimming is NOT an answer to the problem. Each time you mow, the grass will grow back more vigorously and strimming invariably leads to lacerated trunks.
Staking
If trees are not correctly secured they will rock in the planting pit. Roots not firmly in contact with the soil are unable to take up moisture and nutrients, resulting in die back or death of the tree. Check, particularly after windy weather, that stakes are still solidly in the ground keeping the base of the trunk firm. The purpose of the stakes is to anchor the roots. Flexing in the wind, higher up the trunk, is not necessarily a problem if the roots are firm.
Bellow is list of the correct system to use to secure your trees.
- 40/60, 60/80, 80/100 whips – Unless rabbit/deer problem no need to stake.
- 100/125, 125/150 1.2m Cane and Easi tie.
- 150/175 1.2m square stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
- 175/250, 6/8, 8/10 15L 1.65 Tree stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
- All larger trees. 2 x 1.65 Tree stake and cross rail with 38mm cushion spacer and 1m of 38mm strapping.
Ties
Always use our recommended tree ties or strapping. These are designed and manufactured with the correct amount of give to hold the tree firm without strangling it. They should be checked at the end of each growing season for adjustment as the trunk thickens. Non proprietary materials such as baler twine will cut into the bark and should not be used.
Protection from Animal Damage
Rabbits, deer, sheep, cattle and horses can all potentially damage trees. Ask us for advice on the most appropriate guards for your trees or hedge. Squirrels are also a terrible pest when trees get to about 20ft tall but there is no protection available.
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:
