How much would it cost to buy and plant 3k or so trees?

[SoilHugger]

This seemed the most appropriate subforum to put it in. If not let me know of a more suitable and/or contact relevant parties to move it.

Spruce was existing crop but whatever would be most cost effective within permitted ones.

There is a piece of land which is available which is a bit under my top budget which has just had a crop of trees cut with just the stumps left. It says in the ad that the purchaser is subject to replant x amount of trees per acre.

Since it is less than my max I wondered if it would be within my means to do that as it ticks my other boxes and I am flexible as to land type since this is a hobby project and I have read that woodland has advantages anyway with what you are permitted to do and build on it without PP.

My mum said the tree stumps are costly to take out but when doing volunteering one of the organisers said how you can plonk one tree on top of another to fuse them together. Could this be a potential for moneysaving to avoid the cost of taking existing stumps out?

If the trees are small could I do it myself? I know it would be a lot of work but I would see it as a hobby as I am buying the land for recreation anyway and woodland it would fit into woodland duties.

Would this clause mean a lot of inspections by clipboard warriors? I would expect perhaps at first but once the trees are planted not much else to see eh? Perhaps periodic to see the progress? I would look to see if any grants were available to help subsidise would not rely on it and would be a bonus so want to know cost besides if not available to see if it is doable.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

1100 trees per hectare is the accepted norm, but you could push to 1600.
There are planting grants but these will not cover the guards or stakes, only the planting.
Woodland Trust will give advice and you may be lucky & get free youngsters.
If the old stand was spruce then the stumps will disappear PDQ. Don’t waste time & effort there.
2.0m spacing is normal so if you plan carefully you will miss most obstructions.
Have some fun with clearings, a water feature and unusuals;
Wild Service.
Sequoia,
Douglas fir,
Copper beech,
Hornbeam.
Cherry. To mention a few.
I used Douglas as a nurse in the past.
Fence well to keep deer & waskly wabbits out.
Oh and buy quality British stock from family run nurseries.
You may need to spot-spray to assist with weed control.
Aim to plant in November, not late March. That’s paramount IMO.
SS

 

[SoilHugger]

1100 trees per hectare is the accepted norm, but you could push to 1600.
There are planting grants but these will not cover the guards or stakes, only the planting.
Woodland Trust will give advice and you may be lucky & get free youngsters.
If the old stand was spruce then the stumps will disappear PDQ. Don’t waste time & effort there.
2.0m spacing is normal so if you plan carefully you will miss most obstructions.
Have some fun with clearings, a water feature and unusuals;
Wild Service.
Sequoia,
Douglas fir,
Copper beech,
Hornbeam.
Cherry. To mention a few.
I used Douglas as a nurse in the past.
Fence well to keep deer & waskly wabbits out.
Oh and buy quality British stock from family run nurseries.
You may need to spot-spray to assist with weed control.
Aim to plant in November, not late March. That’s paramount IMO.
SS

Thanks great pointers! Oh I see good info for this on the woodland trust site!

I don't understand a lot of your abbreviations. I am new to this...PDQ?

So I could just plant the new ones in the gaps between the old ones and let old ones die away on their own? That makes things simpler if so.

If the woodland trust would guide me through the process that would be great so long as they are pretty hands off after planting? As in how much do you have to report back to them and such? Paperwork, visits etc?

Also is it more accessible than the maligned One Planet Development scheme which seems all but impossible to do with all the redtape? Maybe less red tape involved with tree planting?

 

[suffolksmallholder]

PDQ; pretty d quick
A decade/lifetime ago I knew prices to the penny. I moved away so can’t offer any insights now.
Prior & proper preparation and a good planting gang booked for the 10th November 2025 and all your young stock arriving the week prior is stressful but good when it all starts.
More is best, tree wise. You have to have the minimum so plant more and then there’s no worries with stocking or beating up or getting your grant money.

This;https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/trees-for-landowners-and-farmers/morewoods-faqs/
SS

 

[SoilHugger]

PDQ; pretty d quick
A decade/lifetime ago I knew prices to the penny. I moved away so can’t offer any insights now.
Prior & proper preparation and a good planting gang booked for the 10th November 2025 and all your young stock arriving the week prior is stressful but good when it all starts.
More is best, tree wise. You have to have the minimum so plant more and then there’s no worries with stocking or beating up or getting your grant money.

This;https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/trees-for-landowners-and-farmers/morewoods-faqs/
SS

Thanks I edited my post since you posted reply removing some self evident stuff as soon as I started reading the site ! plus some other new queries.

 

[SoilHugger]

PDQ; pretty d quick
A decade/lifetime ago I knew prices to the penny. I moved away so can’t offer any insights now.
Prior & proper preparation and a good planting gang booked for the 10th November 2025 and all your young stock arriving the week prior is stressful but good when it all starts.
More is best, tree wise. You have to have the minimum so plant more and then there’s no worries with stocking or beating up or getting your grant money.

This;https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/trees-for-landowners-and-farmers/morewoods-faqs/
SS

Oh I just read this on there which sounds bad as that would be my case no?

MOREwoods cannot fund trees for restocking in established woodland, or planting on areas of recently felled woodland.

 

[SoilHugger]

PDQ; pretty d quick
A decade/lifetime ago I knew prices to the penny. I moved away so can’t offer any insights now.
Prior & proper preparation and a good planting gang booked for the 10th November 2025 and all your young stock arriving the week prior is stressful but good when it all starts.
More is best, tree wise. You have to have the minimum so plant more and then there’s no worries with stocking or beating up or getting your grant money.

This;https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/trees-for-landowners-and-farmers/morewoods-faqs/
SS

Also expansion in the faqs

MOREwoods cannot support areas of planting within existing woodland or on areas of woodland felled in the last 5 years.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

You will have to ask The Forestry Commission, or WT as above.

If no joy then you are on your own.

Connecting corridors & broadleaf planting may fare better. Hence my mention of Douglas as a nurse.

I will msg a friend who specialises in planting and see what she says.
SS.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Ok. Asked the Q.
lets see what she says.
SS

 

[SoilHugger]

You will have to ask The Forestry Commission, or WT as above.

If no joy then you are on your own.

Connecting corridors & broadleaf planting may fare better. Hence my mention of Douglas as a nurse.

I will msg a friend who specialises in planting and see what she says.
SS.

Very kind. Thanks.

On the ad it says the agreement is with natural resources wales so I have emailed them too.

It is still good to know projected cost if going it alone as I would still be up for it if I could afford. Would keep me busy and give me a clear goal in this new endeavour!

 

[puppet]

This seemed the most appropriate subforum to put it in. If not let me know of a more suitable and/or contact relevant parties to move it.

Spruce was existing crop but whatever would be most cost effective within permitted ones.

There is a piece of land which is available which is a bit under my top budget which has just had a crop of trees cut with just the stumps left. It says in the ad that the purchaser is subject to replant x amount of trees per acre.

Since it is less than my max I wondered if it would be within my means to do that as it ticks my other boxes and I am flexible as to land type since this is a hobby project and I have read that woodland has advantages anyway with what you are permitted to do and build on it without PP.

My mum said the tree stumps are costly to take out but when doing volunteering one of the organisers said how you can plonk one tree on top of another to fuse them together. Could this be a potential for moneysaving to avoid the cost of taking existing stumps out?

If the trees are small could I do it myself? I know it would be a lot of work but I would see it as a hobby as I am buying the land for recreation anyway and woodland it would fit into woodland duties.

Would this clause mean a lot of inspections by clipboard warriors? I would expect perhaps at first but once the trees are planted not much else to see eh? Perhaps periodic to see the progress? I would look to see if any grants were available to help subsidise would not rely on it and would be a bonus so want to know cost besides if not available to see if it is doable.

If you take in the tree, planting, plastic guard, wooden stake and fencing you might be around £8 per tree, depending on the size of the plot. The grants are around £5000 per hectare I think. I have seen trees planted on the stumps. Cut a sod and put it on top with the sapling and it gets nutrients as it rots. I would prefer putting it in soil in case it dries out.
You could easily plant it yourself. Professionals will plant 1000-1200 per day. 500 would be a fair target.
I get the hint of some off-grid thinking here. If you want grants someone will inspect it initially and probably 5 years in to ensure you are replacing dead ones. No hassle.
However you can't build without planning. No doubt some make a cabin because they think they can hide away in a forest. In 20 years might just be dense enough to hide a small garden shed.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

If you take in the tree, planting, plastic guard, wooden stake and fencing you might be around £8 per tree, depending on the size of the plot. The grants are around £5000 per hectare I think. I have seen trees planted on the stumps. Cut a sod and put it on top with the sapling and it gets nutrients as it rots. I would prefer putting it in soil in case it dries out.
You could easily plant it yourself. Professionals will plant 1000-1200 per day. 500 would be a fair target.
I get the hint of some off-grid thinking here. If you want grants someone will inspect it initially and probably 5 years in to ensure you are replacing dead ones. No hassle.
However you can't build without planning. No doubt some make a cabin because they think they can hide away in a forest. In 20 years might just be dense enough to hide a small garden shed.

I’m not a fan of sheds in woods.
Personally I prefer a little clearing and a canvas shelter.
Sheds attract unwanted attention and they get broken into…..
SS

 

[Dry Rot]

Get yourself a copy of "Practical Forestry for the Land Agent and Surveyor" by Cyril E Hart which will answer all your questions. It's old but some things don't change and you can update the costings.

 

[SoilHugger]

If you take in the tree, planting, plastic guard, wooden stake and fencing you might be around £8 per tree, depending on the size of the plot. The grants are around £5000 per hectare I think. I have seen trees planted on the stumps. Cut a sod and put it on top with the sapling and it gets nutrients as it rots. I would prefer putting it in soil in case it dries out.
You could easily plant it yourself. Professionals will plant 1000-1200 per day. 500 would be a fair target.
I get the hint of some off-grid thinking here. If you want grants someone will inspect it initially and probably 5 years in to ensure you are replacing dead ones. No hassle.
However you can't build without planning. No doubt some make a cabin because they think they can hide away in a forest. In 20 years might just be dense enough to hide a small garden shed.

Sounds good!

I’m not a fan of sheds in woods.
Personally I prefer a little clearing and a canvas shelter.
Sheds attract unwanted attention and they get broken into…..
SS

There is no need to 'hide' the shed though is there? As I understand it from my research a woodworker's shelter falls under permitted development which does not require PP.

While viewing various woodlands I have seen many very substantial 'huts'. One I have seen on the ad the pictures had a washing machine inside! I even noticed a postbox at the gate when viewing. Another I saw from outside had a large, the ones almost the height of a person, red calor bottle outside and looked more like a luxury cabin. Another looked like a full bungalow in the woods.

Not saying I want to replicate any of those but interesting to see what others have managed to stretch the woodmaker's hut to. Seems to be a lot of leeway.

Indeed, right by this very plot I am interested in I remember seeing what looked like a more modest shanty setup within a small plot of remaining woodland in the distance. Seems I will be among friends if I do go with this one.

 

[Hilly]

1100 trees per hectare is the accepted norm, but you could push to 1600.
There are planting grants but these will not cover the guards or stakes, only the planting.
Woodland Trust will give advice and you may be lucky & get free youngsters.
If the old stand was spruce then the stumps will disappear PDQ. Don’t waste time & effort there.
2.0m spacing is normal so if you plan carefully you will miss most obstructions.
Have some fun with clearings, a water feature and unusuals;
Wild Service.
Sequoia,
Douglas fir,
Copper beech,
Hornbeam.
Cherry. To mention a few.
I used Douglas as a nurse in the past.
Fence well to keep deer & waskly wabbits out.
Oh and buy quality British stock from family run nurseries.
You may need to spot-spray to assist with weed control.
Aim to plant in November, not late March. That’s paramount IMO.
SS

Ive two acre plots we clear felled spruce 23 years ago and the stumps are still there .

 

[SoilHugger]

Ive two acre plots we clear felled spruce 23 years ago and the stumps are still there .

Hmm if that is the case is it better to replant in the stumps?

 

[suffolksmallholder]

For the very reasons you describe; The calour gas bottle and looking like a bungalow do take the proverbial somewhat.
You could register yourself as a Bodger and erect a nice shed with a pole lathe in one corner. I remember these from when I was a child and visiting the camp with my father.
For more info look up Owen Dean ‘bodger’.
SS

 

[Hilly]

Hmm if that is the case is it better to replant in the stumps?

No i clear felled them as its to dry for trees here and had got to about 4.5 meter tall and died off …. We dont get enough rain or have enough soil cover to grow decent trees .

 

[SoilHugger]

If you take in the tree, planting, plastic guard, wooden stake and fencing you might be around £8 per tree, depending on the size of the plot. The grants are around £5000 per hectare I think. I have seen trees planted on the stumps. Cut a sod and put it on top with the sapling and it gets nutrients as it rots. I would prefer putting it in soil in case it dries out.
You could easily plant it yourself. Professionals will plant 1000-1200 per day. 500 would be a fair target.
I get the hint of some off-grid thinking here. If you want grants someone will inspect it initially and probably 5 years in to ensure you are replacing dead ones. No hassle.
However you can't build without planning. No doubt some make a cabin because they think they can hide away in a forest. In 20 years might just be dense enough to hide a small garden shed.

Oof £8 per tree that seems an awful lot! That would come to £20k for 4 acres.

Do you agree with this £8 per tree figure @suffolksmallholder?

If so that takes me well over budget.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Ive two acre plots we clear felled spruce 23 years ago and the stumps are still there .

Wow!
Even the huge beech stumps and their eight foot deep holes from the 1987 gale had disappeared by 2000. Today all that remains are humps of soil.
The harvester machine left higher spruce stumps which, when pushing up the brash that the pheasant rearers so hated, stopped the county tractor dead and one nearly did a bonk-head on the steering wheel. The pile being pushed then buried said stump and by year five the whole lot was gone.
I had a chap who either took the harvester re-sets or the highest of the highers and these were carved into assorted mushrooms and sold at roadside.
The next big planting session I hired a tracked mulcher to present the ground and speed up planting.
SS