Forestry Services in West Mayo and County Mayo
Treecore provides specialist, locally informed forestry services across West Mayo and wider County Mayo. As a registered forester in Ireland, we focus on establishing resilient, biodiverse native woodlands and delivering clear, compliant forestry plans for private landowners.
What We Do
Native Woodland Establishment
Design and deliver new native woodlands suited to Mayo’s coastal and inland sites, using appropriate native species mixes, shelters, and deer/rabbit protection.
Establishment primarily through the Native Tree Area (NTA) scheme and, where appropriate, the Afforestation Scheme.
Afforestation Planning and Delivery
Feasibility checks, mapping, species selection, environmental screening, and full grant application support.
Site preparation, planting, maintenance, and compliance reporting.
Woodland Management Plans (Private Woodlands)
Practical, grant-compliant management plans for existing privately owned woodlands.
Thinning prescriptions, biodiversity enhancement, access and safety, harvesting timelines, and replanting/continuous cover strategies.
End‑to‑End Project Management
From first site walk and soil/vegetation assessment through to planting, protection, maintenance, and securing payments.
Native Tree Area (NTA) Scheme — Overview
The Native Tree Area scheme is an Irish government support that helps landowners create small, high‑nature‑value native woodlands with simplified approvals and attractive payments. It’s designed for marginal or underused land parcels and aims to boost biodiversity, water protection, carbon storage, and landscape resilience.
Key Features
Focus on native species only (e.g., oak, birch, rowan, alder, willow, holly, hazel, Scots pine where appropriate).
Streamlined process compared with standard afforestation.
Suits smaller fields or corners of farms; integrates well with existing agriculture.
Grants and Premiums (What Landowners Receive)
Note: Exact rates and terms are set by the Department and may be updated periodically. We confirm current figures during your application.
Establishment Grant
Covers the bulk of upfront costs: site preparation, plants, planting, shelters/fencing, and initial maintenance.
Paid in staged tranches after planting and successful inspection milestones.
Annual Premiums
Guaranteed annual payments for a defined period (typically a multi‑year term) for keeping the NTA woodland in place and maintained.
Premiums are per‑hectare and stack year by year, forming a reliable income stream during establishment.
Ancillary Supports
Where relevant: fencing contributions (including deer/rabbit protection), vegetation control support, and required signage/compliance items.
We translate the scheme rules into a clear cashflow for your holding, showing net costs, grant tranches, and yearly premium income in euro.
How the Native Tree Area Scheme Works — Step by Step
Site Suitability Check
Walkover survey, soils/vegetation check, constraints (watercourses, archaeology, designated sites), access and fencing needs.
High‑level layout concept and indicative species mix.
Mapping and Design
GPS mapping, buffers and setbacks (streams, roads, utilities), ride edges, biodiversity pockets.
Native species mix tailored to your soils and exposure (e.g., alder on wetter peats, birch/rowan on uplands, oak/hazel on mineral soils).
Application and Consents
Prepare the NTA application pack, maps, environmental screens, and any referrals.
Submit to the Department and coordinate responses until approval.
Establishment Works
Ground prep timed to Mayo’s weather windows.
Supply of native stock, planting to specification, guards/stakes, fencing, access gates as required.
Inspection and Grant Drawdown
Arrange inspections; complete any snagging.
Draw down establishment grant tranches once milestones are signed off.
Maintenance and Premium Years
Vegetation control, replacement of failures, fence/guard upkeep.
Annual premium claims submitted on schedule; we keep the paperwork on track.
Ongoing Woodland Care
Light‑touch management plan for the stand’s early years.
Options for paths, biodiversity features, and integration with farm operations.
Afforestation Scheme (Beyond NTA)
For larger or more varied projects, the Afforestation Scheme can be a better fit:
Wider range of woodland types (still with strong native options).
Different grant and premium structures for larger areas.
More detailed environmental assessments and design flexibility.
We compare NTA vs Afforestation for your site, modelling payments, costs, timelines, and long‑term outcomes so you can choose confidently.
Why Work With Treecore in West Mayo
Registered Irish Forester with local Mayo expertise.
Native woodland focus with robust establishment and protection standards.
Straightforward paperwork and on‑time payments.
End‑to‑end delivery: surveys, mapping, applications, planting, maintenance.
Areas served: Westport, Newport, Mulranny, Louisburgh, Achill, Ballycroy, Castlebar, Islandeady, Ballintubber, and all surrounding towns and townlands across West Mayo and County Mayo.
If you’d like, I can tailor the grants/premiums section with current euro amounts and the NTA area limits once you confirm the latest Department rates you’re targeting.
Forestry Services in West Mayo and County Mayo
Treecore delivers end-to-end forestry services across West Mayo and County Mayo. As a registered forester in Ireland, we specialise in establishing resilient native woodlands through the Native Tree Area (NTA) scheme and the Afforestation Scheme, and we produce practical, compliant management plans for privately owned woodlands.
Our forestry services
Native woodland establishment (design, mapping, species selection, planting, protection, and maintenance).
NTA and Afforestation applications, approvals, and payment drawdowns.
Woodland management plans for existing private woodlands (thinning, biodiversity, replanting/CCF strategies).
Full project management from first walkover to grant/premium payments.
Native Tree Area (NTA) Scheme
The NTA scheme supports the creation of small, high‑nature‑value native woodlands on farmed land, with streamlined approvals and attractive payments. It has two options:
NTA 1: Creation of small native forests on farmed land.
NTA 2: Creation of small native forests for water protection (linear woodlands along streams, rivers, and lakes).
Key area rules
NTA 2 plantings: 0.1–1.0 ha, max width 20 m tree‑to‑tree (25 m including open space). NTA 1 and NTA 2 can be combined up to scheme limits per holding. [Teagasc]
The scheme does not require an afforestation licence (direct entry, subject to NTA terms).
Eligible species focus on native mixes suited to your site (e.g., oak, birch, rowan, alder, willow, holly, hazel, Scots pine where appropriate).
NTA Grants and Premiums (Current)
Per-hectare establishment grants (paid in two stages) and annual premiums for 10 years:
NTA 1 — Small native forests
Grant: €5,058 first grant + €1,686 second grant = €6,744/ha total
Premium: €2,206/ha per year for 10 years
NTA 2 — Small native forests for water protection
Grant: €5,058 first grant + €1,686 second grant = €6,744/ha total
Premium: €2,284/ha per year for 10 years
Additional supports
Deer tree shelter grant: up to €1,600/ha.
Fencing grants (examples — IS 436 rates):
NTA 1: Stock €6.00/m (max €1,440/ha); Stock/Sheep or Stock/Rabbit €7.70/m (max €1,848/ha).
NTA 2: Stock €6.00/m (max €2,400/ha); Stock/Sheep or Stock/Rabbit €7.70/m (max €3,080/ha).
Non‑IS 436 fencing has lower €/m and max/ha caps. [Teagasc]
For scheme leaflets, calculators, and official programme links, see the Department’s Forestry Grants and Schemes hub. [DAFM]
The NTA Process — How We Deliver
Site suitability check
Walkover survey, soils/veg notes, watercourse buffers, archaeology/designations, access, and fencing needs.
Concept layout and native species mix tailored to Mayo’s coastal exposure and soils.
Mapping and design
GPS mapping, required setbacks and widths (especially for NTA 2), rides/openings, biodiversity pockets.
Application and consents
Prepare and submit NTA application with maps and environmental screens; coordinate responses to approval.
Establishment works
Timing ground prep, supplying native stock, planting to spec, guards/stakes, fencing and gates as needed.
Inspection and grant drawdown
Arrange inspections, complete snagging; claim first and second grant payments on schedule.
Maintenance and annual premiums
Vegetation control, beating‑up, protection upkeep; submit annual premium claims for 10 years.
Ongoing woodland care
Light‑touch management during establishment; optional paths, biodiversity features, and farm integration.
Afforestation Scheme (for larger native woodlands)
When areas exceed NTA limits or a different woodland type is preferred, we assess the Afforestation Scheme:
Broader woodland types (including native forest types) and different grant/premium structures.
More detailed environmental assessment and design flexibility.
We model costs, grants, and long‑term returns to compare Afforestation vs NTA for your site. [DAFM]
Why Treecore for Mayo woodlands
Registered forester with deep local knowledge of West Mayo’s climate, soils, and exposure.
Native woodland focus with robust establishment and protection standards.
Paperwork handled end‑to‑end to secure grants and premiums on time.
Clear, practical management plans for private woodland owners.
Areas served: Westport, Newport, Mulranny, Louisburgh, Achill, Ballycroy, Castlebar, Islandeady, Ballintubber, and all surrounding towns and townlands across West Mayo and County Mayo.
Note on figures: Grant, premium, and fencing rates above reflect current published guidance; programme terms can update. We confirm exact amounts at application and use the Department’s calculator to give you a site‑specific cashflow. [Teagasc] [DAFM]