What the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is

ACRES is Ireland’s new agri-environment climate scheme under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. This new €1.5 billion flagship agri-environment scheme is a farmer-friendly scheme to help address biodiversity decline while delivering an income support for up to 50,000 farm families in Ireland.

The ACRES scheme in Ireland offers a range of hedging options for farmers, with specific requirements for planting new hedges.

Here are the key points to consider:

1. Hedge Specifications: The new hedge must consist of at least five plants per meter in a double staggered row, with a mix of at least three species from the hedgerow species. No one species should make up more than 85% of the total.

2. Planting Locations: The new hedge must not be placed against an existing hedgerow or stone wall or under the shade of a treeline/woodland.

3. Fencing and Protection: All newly planted hedgerows must be protected from livestock with an appropriate permanent stockproof fence. This fence may need to be moved out further as the hedgerow grows and expands.

4. Annual Maintenance: Grass and other competing vegetation must be controlled around the plants annually to aid establishment.

5. Planting Timeline: Farmers must complete their hedge planting options by the deadline of March 31, 2026, for ACRES tranche 1.

For more detailed guidance and to ensure compliance with the ACRES scheme, farmers can refer to the specifications provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and consult with professional operators.

What can be included in the ACRES Scheme:

Let’s explain some of the actions that can be taken under the scheme.

  1. Planting A New Hedgerow
  2. Planting a Traditional Orchard
  3. Planting Trees in Riparian Buffer Zones
  4. Tree Belts for Ammonia Capture from Farmyards
  5. Tree Planting

Hedgerow Species for ACRES Scheme Planting a New Hedgerow

Blackthorn Prunus spinosa
Dog Rose Rosa canina
Guelder Rose Viburnum opulus
Hawthorn/Whitethorn Crategus monogyna
Hazel Corylus avellana
Holly Ilex aquifolium
Spindle Euonymous europaeus
Alder Buckthorn Frangula alnus

Tree Species for ACRES Scheme –  PLANTING A NEW HEDGEROW (0.6 – 0.9 metres high)

Bird Cherry Prunus padus
Crab Apple Malus sylvesteries
Goat Willow Salix caprea
Grey Willow Salix cinerea
Rowan Sorbus aucuparia
Wild Cherry Prunus avium
Hawthorn/Whitethorn Crategus monogyna
Irish Whitebeam Sorbis hibernia
Sessile Oak Quercus petraea
Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur

Tree 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

 

  1.  
  1. Planting completed by 31 March 2024.
  2. Select the LPIS parcel(s) for the tree planting action by drawing one point on the
  3. map. Then enter the number of trees that will be planted on the chosen parcel(s) in
    the quantity box provided.
  4. 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.
  5. Do not plant in the vicinity of overhead wires, within 20m of railway lines, 60m of a neighboring dwelling house.
  6. Plants must be of Irish Origin or Irish Provenance and Purchased from DAFM registered professional operators.
  7. Plant passport retained for the duration of the contract.
  8. Min of 60cm in height.
  9. Plant at least 3 native tree species, not more than 25% to be Scots pine.
  10. Maintain at least 4 metre spacing between each tree.
  11. Fit each tree (except Scots Pine) with a staked tree shelter, minimum 75cm in height, and fence trees off with appropriate fencing.
  12. If using individual barbed protectors for parkland or rows, the staked tree shelter and fencing is not required.
  13. Grass and weeds must be controlled around the trees annually.
  14. Failed or dead trees must be replaced during the next dormant season
Tree Species for ACRES Scheme – TREE PLANTING

 

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 robur
Rowan Sorbus aucuparia
Goat Willow Salix caprea
Grey Willow Salix cinerea