OPM grants now available for private residents
09 Jan 2026 | Technical News
To be eligible, you must:
- live in the OPM established area
- live in a residential property, such as a house or flat, as a private resident
- have 4 or fewer oak trees, at least 2m tall, in your garden
The OPM established area covers parts of the south east of England where the OPM is known to be present, specifically in London and surrounding areas, and is marked with yellow shading on the official map.
Private residents can apply for the grant by completing the online application form before the 30 January 2025 deadline.
The OPM was first sighted in London in 20026 and is now regulated as a quarantine pest which cannot be introduced, moved, multiplied, or released without prior authorisation.
Caterpillars of the OPM eat the leaves of oak trees, weakening the tree and leaving it vulnerable to other threats.
