Woodland Improvement Scheme
Broadleaf Forest Management to improve biodiversity, health and future value
Ecoplan Forestry was established in 2007, to offer an alternative choice from commercial conifer production for forest owners. We understand that creating a woodland is only the beginning. Careful, expert management ensures your woodland continues to thrive — ecologically, financially, and aesthetically. The Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS) provides generous grant support for eligible owners to actively improve their forests through a range of practical, sustainable interventions.
What is the Woodland Improvement Scheme?
WIS 2023–2027 is a grant scheme that supports thinning, tending, and restructuring operations in broadleaf and mixed woodlands. The aim is to increase the ecological and commercial value of existing forests, reduce vulnerability to windthrow and disease, and improve access and overall condition.
The Scheme supports:
- 1st and 2nd thinning/tending of broadleaves
- Agroforestry Maintenance
- Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) – 1sr, 2nd, and 3rd Instalments
- Coppice and Coppice with Standards
- Seed Stand Management
Funding Available
- Up to €1,200 per hectare for approved operations, depending on eligibility, the type of work, and woodland structure.
- Additional Payments up to €500/Ha (subject to eligibility and approval).
- Operations must be carried out by qualified professionals and follow an approved plan.
We will guide you through every step — assessing eligibility, preparing and submitting your application, supervising works, and ensuring compliance.
Why Invest in Woodland Improvement?
Even well-planted woodlands can suffer from overcrowding, poor form, or underperformance. The Woodland Improvement Scheme helps owners:
- Enhance tree quality and future timber value
- Increase light levels and ground flora diversity
- Improve woodland access for management and recreation
- Reduce disease and storm risk
- Support biodiversity and climate resilience
And importantly, the work is grant-funded — making it a smart, low-risk investment in your woodland’s future.
Our Services
Ecoplan Forestry offers a complete Woodland Improvement service, including:
- Site assessment and eligibility advice
- Full application preparation and submission
- Forestry and ecological planning
- On-site supervision and contractor management
- Post-operation inspection and reporting
We tailor every plan to your woodland’s specific condition and your long-term goals.
Contact Us
If you’re thinking about Woodland Improvement — just get in touch. We’ll give you an honest answer, a clear plan, and a professionally managed application.
We give you the facts, lay out your options, and help you make the best decisions for your forest and your future. That’s how we’ve earned the trust of landowners across the country — and why most of our work comes from word of mouth.
Want to know more?
Even if your forest does not qualify for the WIS Scheme, it would still benefit from honest, independent, professional forest management advice. We offer a wide range of forestry services for a wide range of forest types, and owners are often surprised at the level of support that is available.
If you’re considering native woodland establishment, or if your existing woodlands might qualify for native woodland conservation, explore those pages too. We’re here to help you manage and enhance all types of forest.
You can discover more about the Scheme on the Departments Website