Deadline approaches for East Mids community groups to pick up and plant free trees (deadline: 26th August)

Community groups across the East Midlands have been taking advantage of a free scheme from the Woodland Trust in which free trees are being given away but time is running out in the current round of allocations.

With tree planting statistics only recently published and millions more trees needed to reach the UK's 2050 carbon net-zero targets, the Trust's initiative is seen as a factor towards making a big difference, with trees boosting nature, combat flooding, provide shelter and reduce pollution - and are also reported to have have huge benefits for mental health.

Schools, sports clubs and community groups have been participating in the scheme, and in doing so are helping the charity to reach a staggering 16 million tree milestone.

The UK’s largest woodland conservation charity has given away 15m saplings since the scheme it started in 2010 – an average of more than a million trees a year, and with applications for the autumn delivery window closing next month, the Trust is urging people across the East Midlands to take advantage of the “no-catch” scheme and help tackle the climate and nature crisis.

The spring delivery in March 2024 saw 28,005 saplings finding homes in the East Midlands, as part of a total 365,985 trees sent out across the length and breadth of the UK.  In the East Midlands, almost 7,000 trees were given out in Derbyshire and just over 5,500 in Nottinghamshire. 

Applications for delivery in September 2024 are closing on 26th August.

Woodland Trust senior project lead Steve Shill said time is running out to get involved: “Planting trees is such a simple action, but the collective impact can make a huge difference to people and the planet.

“Trees help nature, combat flooding, provide shelter and reduce pollution, and they unite communities, inspire pride and bring huge benefits for mental wellbeing.

“It’s a great way for schoolchildren and all sorts of community groups – from sports clubs to faith groups – to learn about the environment and do their bit.

“Every school should have trees, but if you don’t have space to plant, don’t worry – you can still get involved in planting. Why not partner with a local community group or council to plant trees in a public space?"

The application process to secure your saplings is straightforward. Just visit the Woodland Trust website to fill in the form and ensure your trees are on their way.

The Woodland Trust scheme delivers hundreds of thousands of free trees twice a year for planting in spring and autumn. Tree packs come in packs of 15, 30, 105 or 420 trees and in different varieties to suit their purpose – from hedging, copse, for wildlife or wild harvest.

Shill added: “As ever, the support and generosity of our funders is crucial; we simply couldn’t do this without them. The help each and every one of them provides is hugely appreciated and ensures we can provide and deliver our saplings in such huge numbers.”