# The Farming with Nature Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025, Paragraph 4: Eligible scheme actions; farmland tree planting

Extent: N.I.

(1) An applicant planting trees must–
(a) not plant trees–
(i) on land within 5 metres of a designated watercourse;
(ii) on flood defence areas;
(iii) on riparian buffer strips;
(iv) within hedgerows; or
(v) on permanent grassland sensitive areas;
(b) plant three or more native tree species listed in Schedule 5;
(c) ensure a minimum of 0.05 hectares are planted at 2.5 metre spacing in the same plot at a planting rate of 1,600 trees per hectare;
(d) support and protect each newly planted tree from damage by grazing livestock or wildlife on all sides;
(e) exclude livestock from the area in which the new trees are planted;
(f) manage and maintain trees planted including the removal of grass or weeds negatively impacting tree growth;
(g) ensure that access to watercourses for maintenance purposes is unobstructed;
(h) retain evidence, as the Department may specify, of the quantity and native tree species used;
(i) complete all work related to this action by 28th February 2027;
(j) retain planted trees for a minimum period of 20 years beginning with 28th February 2027; and
(k) ensure if erecting protective fencing it meets the eligibility criteria in Schedule 2.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2025/101/schedule/1/paragraph/4 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/farming-with-nature-scheme-regulations-northern-ireland-2025/schedule-1/paragraph-4
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.