Defra

EC1/EC2 Protection of in-field trees

Trees are of historic and landscape significance in both arable and grassland situations, and also provide habitat for many invertebrates and birds. To be eligible for this option the trunk of the tree must be entirely within the field, i.e. not part of a field boundary. A tree in a remnant boundary may be considered as an in-field tree where it is not attached to a current boundary feature, and is not in a line of more than three trees with overlapping canopies.

Establishment of an uncultivated area around this ancient oak may help to prolong its life

Eligible trees are those over 30 cm diameter at chest height. This option can be applied to groups of up to three trees, where the tree canopies are overlapping. In this situation, each tree will earn the specified number of points.

For trees in this option you must do the following:

• Do not carry out any cultivations, supplementary feeding of stock, storage of materials or machinery, or weed control (apart from spot treatment) under the canopy of the tree.
• Leave fallen timber below the canopy.
• Do not spread fertiliser, farmyard manure or inorganic N, P or K beneath the tree canopy.

EC1, 12 points per tree protected on arable land

EC2, 8 points per tree protected on grassland

EC3 Maintenance of woodland fences

Maintain fences to prevent damage to woodlands, such as overgrazing and soil erosion

This option will protect the woodland flora and encourage natural regeneration. Woodlands may be of historical interest and are significant features contributing to local landscape character.

For this option you must do the following:

• Maintain fences in a stock proof condition to ensure exclusion of livestock. Avoid damaging woodland boundary banks.
• Stock must be excluded from the woodland.

EC3, 4 points per 100 m

EC4 Management of woodland edges

Hedges and shrubs in the woodland edge provide habitat for small mammals and birds. This option is designed to encourage the woodland edge to grow out and requires 2 m to be left uncultivated from the edge of the wood. Buffer strip options may be located adjacent to these woodland edge areas.

For this option you must do the following:

• Do not cultivate within 2 m of the woodland edge and allow the woodland edge to grow out for up to 2m.
• Do not supplementary feed or locate water troughs and mineral licks in such a way as to cause poaching on the woodland strip.
• Do not apply fertilisers or manure.
• Apply herbicides only to spot treat or weed wipe for the control of injurious grass weeds (i.e. creeping or spear thistle, curled or broadleaved dock, or common ragwort), or invasive alien species (e.g. Himalayan balsam, rhododendron or Japanese knotweed).
• Cutting is only permitted for the control of the above weeds. Trim no more than one third of the shrubby growth in any one calendar year.

EC4, 380 points per ha