Free tree scheme is back for another year

Northumberland County Council’s free tree scheme is back again with individual saplings and packs up for grabs.

The Council is once again inviting businesses, residents, schools, community groups and town and parish councils across the county to take part in this year’s free tree scheme.It is making 15,000 tree saplings available to make Northumberland a greener and cleaner place to live, work and visit.

Town and County Councillor Martin Swinbank encouraged Alnwick residents to take part in the scheme saying:”If you or an organisation you are involved in have the space and permission to plant trees or a hedge, then this is an opportunity to secure native trees, free of charge.

As the saying goes the ‘best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, but the next best time is this afternoon’. Native trees enhance our towns, villages and countryside, but importantly they also provide a home for insects, shelter for animals, keep us cool in summer, reduce flooding, provide shelter from the wind and store up carbon.

Do grab this opportunity to plant a tree or some hedging this Autum or Winter, with friends, family or colleagues. Each sapling planted is a small stake in our collective future, and from tiny acorns, mighty oaks do quite literally grow.”

Applicants can choose from a variety of species. Schools, community groups, town and parish councils, and businesses can apply for packs of Hedge, Copse, and Native Harvest.

For those with limited space, Box or Wild Privet will be available, for small gardens, Crab Apple or Holly are available, for medium gardens, Rowan or Silver Birch are available and for large gardens, English Oak or Wild Cherry are available.

Once ordered, applicants will receive confirmation and details of their collection point prior to the pick-up date, with collection locations spread across the county.

The trees provided are small cell-grown plants, UK-sourced, and come complete with a shelter guard and cane. Detailed planting and aftercare instructions will be emailed out after collection.

Cllr John Riddle, Cabinet Member for Environment, Rural and Farming at Northumberland County Council said: “We want to encourage as many people and groups as possible across Northumberland to apply for their very own free tree.

“We are particularly keen for businesses to apply this year too so that we can help them towards their own net zero targets.

“Tree planting not only gives back to the environment but is a fantastic way to bring communities together, create educational opportunities and improve mental wellbeing.”

Last year thousands of saplings were distributed across the county contributing to improved air quality and further moving Northumberland towards net zero.

Any free tree saplings obtained through this scheme must only be planted on land you own unless you have an agreement with a private landowner.

Apply for your free trees at Northumberland Net Zero