Spruce Site Assessment

The Spruce Site Assessment (SSA) grant is for landowners and land managers in England with spruce trees on land inside the Ips typographus proactive spruce removal area. The SSA grant offers a fixed payment of £2,000 to assess woodland to understand the amount and condition of spruce present and plan for potential felling and restocking. The grant aims to reduce the risks of Ips typographus (eight-toothed spruce bark beetle) and outbreaks occurring by encouraging the removal of material that might be susceptible to the beetle. Landowners or their agents can use this funding to evaluate costs involved in felling spruce in the proactive spruce removal area and identify funding available to help with the cost. If outbreaks are found, Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHNs) are issued requiring the owner to take specific urgent forestry actions. Surveys must be completed and the funding claimed by 31st March 2026.