{"id":312665,"date":"2026-01-31T03:28:26","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T03:28:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/312665\/"},"modified":"2026-01-31T03:28:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T03:28:26","slug":"how-to-earn-up-to-six-figures-by-planting-trees-in-ireland-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/312665\/","title":{"rendered":"How to earn up to six figures by planting trees in Ireland \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Forget your stocks<\/a> and shares; how about trying to do something positive for the environment<\/a>, while earning some money from the land?<\/p>\n

Thanks to the State\u2019s various tree incentive schemes, you don\u2019t have to be a big farmer or have forestry<\/a> experience to benefit from a variety of grants and annual premiums.<\/p>\n

These grants are confirmed until 2027 through the Afforestation Scheme 2023-27<\/a>, which aims to encourage people to plant and manage sustainable forests. Given Ireland\u2019s current record, it is likely to be extended. The intention of the scheme is to increase the Republic\u2019s forest cover from 11 per cent to 18 per cent by 2027 to help counteract climate change. The amount of money you get depends on the size and type of forest you plant.<\/p>\n

According to figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine<\/a>, more than 2,500 hectares of new forests were planted in 2025 and paid to first grant instalment stage. That is up from 1,000 hectares in 2024.<\/p>\n

However, this is still only about 31 per cent of the national target of 8,000 hectares a year.<\/p>\n

So, if trees are your thing, can you make the sums add up to real investment? <\/p>\n

From planning your own small woodland plot to establishing a commercial forest, trees are increasingly popular.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the last number of years, there has been an increase in interest in forestry,\u201d says Paul Lafferty, managing director of Forestsales.ie<\/a>, noting that it is one of the few sources of income that is exempt from income tax \u2013 although you will pay PRSI and USC.<\/p>\n

Part of the reason behind this interest is the level of support available.<\/p>\n

\"TreesTrees are an increasingly popular investment option, from small woodland plots to commercial forestry <\/p>\n

Tom Houlihan, acting head of forestry development at Teagasc, says there is a \u201csuite of attractive supports\u201d for farmers and other landowners interested in growing trees. The current incentives \u201care very attractive and among the highest that can be found in the world\u201d, he says.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea of the grant is to fund [establishing forests], which is a great help as we wouldn\u2019t have a forestry industry without it,\u201d says Lafferty.<\/p>\n

There are two main schemes aimed at new forest creation \u2013 the Afforestation Scheme, which supports the establishment of a range of forest types, and the Native Tree Area Scheme<\/a>, which focuses on the development of small native forests.<\/p>\n

The former requires an afforestation licence and all applications must undergo environmental screening and assessment procedures.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a bit like the Grand National race: you have to get over every hurdle safely to get there,\u201d says Lafferty.<\/p>\n

\"MixedMixed forestry: Supports available under the afforestation scheme include grants and annual payments, depending on the type of tree grown. Photograph: iStock <\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need a licence for the Native Tree Area Scheme. It allows you to plant trees on areas of land of between 0.1 and one hectare, and up to a maximum of two hectares per farm, as part of efforts to boost native forestry in Ireland.<\/p>\n

According to Houlihan, Teagasc forestry advisers receive many queries on this scheme from a variety of people, including full-time and part-time farmers wishing to initially explore planting smaller areas \u2013 \u201cputting their toe in the water, so to speak, before considering further planting options\u201d. <\/p>\n

[\u00a0Two years ago we planted 24,000 native saplings \u2013 now our forest is thrivingOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

The agency also hears from non-farmers looking to create an attractive native resource on their land. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe often hear the phrase \u2018I would like to give something back\u2019 from an environmental perspective,\u201d says Houlihan. The fact that a more fast-track approval process is in place for this scheme would certainly be viewed as attractive to many, as would the funding available, he adds.<\/p>\n

Incentives<\/p>\n

Supports available under the afforestation scheme include both forestry grants and annual premium payments, depending on the type of tree grown. <\/p>\n

According to Houlihan, the grants (eg \u20ac3,858 per hectare for mixed high forests; \u20ac6,744 per hectare for native woodland; and \u20ac8,555 per hectare for agroforestry, with additional supports for fencing of the forest) cover all, or the vast majority of costs involved in establishing a forest, and also maintenance costs in the early years (usually four to five years).<\/p>\n

While you have to leave up to 15 per cent of the site unplanted for reasons of biodiversity, both grant aid and forestry premiums will still be paid on this section. <\/p>\n

[\u00a0How Ireland\u2019s forests are undergoing a revolution to boost biodiversityOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

That means a person could receive a grant of as much as \u20ac855,500 for a 100 hectare plot.<\/p>\n

The annual premium payments range from \u20ac746 per hectare for mixed high forests to \u20ac1,142 for \u201cnative woodlands protecting water quality\u201d. These are payable over 20 years for farmers, or 15 years otherwise, apart from agroforestry, which is for 10 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce the 15\/20-year premium is up, you\u2019re on your own,\u201d says Lafferty.<\/p>\n

When it comes to the Native Tree Area Scheme, someone who plants one hectare is in line to receive premium payments over a 10-year period of more than \u20ac22,000, says Houlihan.<\/p>\n

If you are thinking of getting involved, be sure to get advice. Teagasc has experienced forestry advisers who provide free and independent advice and comprehensive decision support on the planting options available. <\/p>\n

Additional schemes, such as the Woodland Environment Fund<\/a>, also exist, while programmes such as the Forest Road Scheme<\/a> support forests when they\u2019re established.<\/p>\n

\"CommercialCommercial spruce timber can be produced from 28 to 40 years. Photograph: iStock Earning potential <\/p>\n

Houlihan says the timing of harvest will depend on the tree species involved, as well as species productivity, growth conditions and how the crop is managed. <\/p>\n

\u201cFor example, for landowners looking for a forest resource that can deliver a return on investment in one generation, fast-growing conifers provide early revenue on suitable sites and have tried and trusted markets for their timber products,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

The fastest-producing forest type is Forest Type 12, which allows for a mix of 65 per cent Sitka Spruce and 20 per cent broadleaves, with the required 15 per cent left unplanted for biodiversity. According to Houlihan, commercial spruce timber can be produced from 28 to 40 years (depending on productivity, growth and management). <\/p>\n

Other species can take longer. Norway spruce and firs take 35-50 years, for example. Scots pine, a native conifer, takes in the region of 55-65 years to mature, while birch and sycamore would take in the order of 45 to 70 years, depending on species, and oak up to 100 years. <\/p>\n

[\u00a0Next generation of forests will need to be diverse and resilient to multiple threatsOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

When it comes to native woodlands, timber production is unlikely to be a primary objective, but Houlihan says such areas can be managed for a level of wood production, using continuous cover forestry practices.<\/p>\n

Costs<\/p>\n

When looking to buy land to plant trees, it\u2019s worth remembering that it will be more valuable if it already has approval on it, says Lafferty. The highest prices currently being paid are for land that has FT12 approval (a mix of spruce and broadleaves). For this, you could be looking at paying about \u20ac8,000 an acre.<\/p>\n

But Lafferty says there is very little actually being sold at this level as, where there is competition for the land, farmers will pay more for it, possibly pushing the price as high as \u20ac10,000 an acre.<\/p>\n

The price you pay for land in the first place will be a key determinant in whether or not the investment can wash its face.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can be economical at sub-\u20ac10,000 an acre; if land goes over that, it\u2019s marginal whether you can make it or not,\u201d says Lafferty.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Ireland\u2019s sika deer may face cull following \u2018invasive species\u2019 classificationOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

For the hobby forester, going down the native woodland route, there will likely be less competition for land, so you could be talking about \u20ac5,000-\u20ac8,000 an acre.<\/p>\n

The easiest way of getting into it, says Lafferty, is to buy an existing plantation. This way, the applications will have been done, the trees will have been planted and, depending on how long it has been there, there may still be some premiums to be paid out.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can see what kind of trees are there, you can see what\u2019s growing \u2026 it\u2019s much easier and much cleaner to get involved in that way,\u201d says Lafferty, although he concedes that you might be missing out on some years of premium payments.<\/p>\n

The land may also be cheaper this way, precisely because all, or some, of the annual premiums will have already been paid out.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot every bit of ground would qualify,\u201d he says, adding that land that is suitable for a commercial forest is also suitable for agricultural reasons. This pushes up competition for the land, and thus prices.<\/p>\n

\u201cForestry becomes a poor relation,\u201d says Lafferty, if there are more profitable ways of using the land. <\/p>\n

Tax<\/p>\n

A big incentive of the scheme is that you won\u2019t pay tax on earnings from your forest. According to the Department of Finance, \u201call payments and earnings are income tax free\u201d. <\/p>\n

This includes grant payments and any earnings you might make from the land, such as selling timber etc. But universal social charge and PRSI do apply.<\/p>\n

Houlihan points to some other \u201cvery significant\u201d forestry-related tax benefits. For example, in relation to capital gains tax (CGT), an individual will be exempt from CGT on the growing timber should they opt to sell their forest, although CGT will apply to the underlying land.<\/p>\n

Houlihan notes that most of the value will be in the timber, so chargeable gains on the land are \u201clikely to be limited\u201d.<\/p>\n

While commercial woodlands are subject to capital acquisition tax in the event of inheritance or being handed on as gifts, they do qualify for agricultural relief. This relief can allow a 90 per cent writedown on the value of woodland, though it is subject to certain requirements, such as the active farmer test.<\/p>\n

In circumstances where this relief doesn\u2019t apply, the beneficiary might be able to qualify for business relief, says Houlihan. This would entitle them to a 90 per cent discount in market value. <\/p>\n

Finally, as with CGT, the trees growing in commercial woodland are exempt from stamp duty but it will apply to the underlying land at a rate of 7.5 per cent.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Forget your stocks and shares; how about trying to do something positive for the environment, while earning some…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":312666,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[269],"tags":[15778,18,440,5009,26230,19,17,133,55896],"class_list":["post-312665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-environment","tag-department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine","tag-eire","tag-environment","tag-forestry","tag-forestry-investment","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-science","tag-teagasc"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/115987592189517048","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=312665"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312665\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/312666"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=312665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=312665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=312665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}