CSP12: Rhododendron control and management supplement
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-10)

What you must do to get paid for this CSHT action and advice on how to do it.

This action is part of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT). You must read the CSHT guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht) before you apply.

Duration

5 years

How much you’ll be paid

£256 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

The aim of this supplemental action is to control rhododendron by removing it or stopping it from spreading or re-establishing.

The purpose is to maintain or restore biodiversity value and protect archaeological sites.

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on land with a suitable base action approved by your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.

You should use this supplemental action after either:
- using capital item: SB6: Rhododendron control (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/rhododendron-control-sb6)
- carrying out initial rhododendron control work at your own expense
Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will agree with you what other supplemental actions may be needed to meet the intended environmental outcomes. This could include:
- CCT6: Coastal vegetation management supplement
- CSP1: Difficult site supplement
- CSP2: Rewetting supplement
- CSP3: Bracken control supplement
- CSP5: Shepherding supplement (non-moorland)
- CSP6: Cattle grazing supplement (non-moorland)
- CSP7: Introduction of cattle grazing on the Isles of Scilly supplement
- CSP9: Support for threatened species
Eligible land

Same as base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same or less than the base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as base action.

What to do

Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.

To get paid for this action, you must:
- control rhododendron to an agreed level of cover which may include removing cut material
- control and remove any re-established rhododendron
- include a map showing the extent of rhododendron with your application
You must not carry out chemical control of rhododendron in areas identified by your Natural England adviser.

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.

You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:
- consents, permissions and invoices connected with this work
- records of management activity on the action area for each parcel, including an operational site assessment (or similar) to show your operations are compliant with the UK Forestry Standard
Consents, permissions and licensing requirements

To apply for this supplemental action, you’ll need:
- a woodland management plan (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/create-a-woodland-management-plan) approved by your Forestry Commission woodland officer (for woodland management)
- Scheduled Monument Consent (https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/planning/consents/smc/) from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
- consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protected-areas-sites-of-special-scientific-interest#get-consent-to-carry-out-operations-on-your-land)
You may need:
- advice from Historic England for grade 1 or grade 2 historic parks
- advice from the Gardens Trust for registered parks below grade 2
- advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland manager if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
- to get a wildlife licence (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wildlife-licences) from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.

Capital grants to support this action

If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for funding through capital grants plans funding (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/capital-items-guidance-for-applicants-and-agreement-holders#capital-grants-plans).

You can also apply for capital items (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/capital-items-guidance-for-applicants-and-agreement-holders) to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.

Advice to help you use this supplement

The following optional advice may help you to do this action. Your agreement document will set out all the activities you must do.

Managing rhododendron

Rhododendron is an invasive non-native evergreen shrub. If left uncontrolled, rhododendron will become the dominant habitat. Its extensive root system and leaf litter is toxic to many other plants. Rhododendron can also be a host for the fungus-like pathogen in the genus Phytophthora, which affects larch and other plants.

How you manage rhododendron depends on your site.

You can:
- apply herbicide to freshly cut stumps or regrowth on old cut stumps
- pull up small seedlings by hand
- flail the top growth on larger bushes, then cut the main stem with a chainsaw and use an appropriate stump treatment
Regularly survey the site for:
- regrowth to remove or treat quickly
- signs of infection to manage and dispose of material appropriately
Read the Forestry Commission’s practice guide on ‘Managing and controlling invasive rhododendron’ (https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/2006/08/fcpg017.pdf) for more information. Guidance relating to herbicide in this document may be out of date.

Removing infected rhododendron

When removing rhododendron infected with Phytophthora ramorum or Phythopthora kernoviae:
- email the Forestry Commission (xxx@xxx.xx) about about any suspected infection and attach a clear, well-lit photograph
clean or disinfect clothing, equipment and vehicles according to advice given in the Forestry Commission’s biosecurity guidance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-the-introduction-and-spread-of-tree-pests-and-diseases)
- use disinfectants that have gone through a Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) safety assessment as well as an environmental assessment
Read: Phytophthora manual – 7. Policy on collecting foliage (rhododendron etc.) from woodlands in Great Britain (https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/fthr/pest-and-disease-resources/ramorum-disease-phytophthora-ramorum/phytophthora-manual-7-policy-on-collecting-foliage-rhododendron-etc-from-woodlands-in-great-britain/) for more information on identifying, managing and disposing of infected rhododendron.

Burning waste material

If a Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer advise you to burn any waste material:

agree in advance where to locate the burn site – it is best practice not to burn waste in woodlands

build bonfires at least 10 metres from the crown of any surrounding trees to avoid damaging them

clean up the site as soon as possible after burning – if you burn material on a metal sheet it reduces damage to the soil and makes it easier to remove ash from the site

Avoid:
- locating burning sites and piles of wood on patches of ground where they could damage species-rich grassland, anthills or other ecological or archaeological features
- burning where it would cause a nuisance