Spruce Site Assessment (SSA)

Document research last revised 2026-08-18.

Key Organisational Requirements

The applicant must own spruce trees or have management control of the land. The property must contain at least 0.5 hectares of spruce within the proactive spruce removal area, be under a single ownership, and meet the scheme's eligibility conditions. The person carrying out the assessment should be adequately experienced in planning and managing felling and replanting operations.

Eligible Land Requirements

Only one property is eligible per SSA agreement. All spruce on the property must be included in the assessment. The eligible spruce can be divided into blocks of any size, provided the total is at least 0.5 hectares and at least 0.5 hectares is completely within the proactive spruce removal area.

Assessment Requirements

The assessment must record the location and condition of spruce, site constraints, environmental and social considerations, and estimated costs for felling, extraction and restocking. The assessment must be completed using the Forestry Commission's prescribed SSA form.

Project Completion Period

Successful applicants have 6 months from the Grant Agreement Commencement Date to complete and submit the SSA survey, associated maps and claim forms.

Eligible Costs / Activities

The grant supports the completion of the SSA, including assessment of spruce extent and condition, site constraints, and estimated costs for potential felling, extraction and restocking.

Ineligible Costs / Activities

The SSA grant does not fund the actual felling, extraction or restocking work. Payment of the SSA grant does not guarantee future funding for felling or restocking and does not require the applicant to enter into a future felling agreement.

Monitoring Requirements

The agreement holder may be asked to provide feedback during the agreement and for 12 months after the agreement for Forestry Commission and/or Defra evaluation and development of Ips typographus grants.

Objectives

To reduce the risk of Ips typographus (eight-toothed spruce bark beetle) outbreaks by encouraging the assessment and potential future removal of susceptible spruce material. The assessment also helps landowners understand future felling, removal and restocking costs and potential funding.

Future Funding

Information and costings from the SSA can be used to inform future applications for Tree Health Pilot funding for proactive spruce felling. However, completion and payment of an SSA does not guarantee future felling or restocking funding.

Important Notes

The SSA provides £2,000 for the assessment only. It does not fund tree removal or restocking. The assessment must include all spruce on the property. There must be at least 0.5 hectares of spruce within the proactive spruce removal area. Only one SSA payment is available per property. Applications are currently open, but agreements are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. (GOV.UK)

Application deadline in source document

31 March 2029, 11:59pm

Official source

Read the funding authority guidance