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, and this year more businesses are being encouraged to apply.

Apply for your free trees at

https://nland.cc/freetrees25

In a bid to help protect and enhance the natural environment, the Council is making

15,000 tree saplings available, to make Northumberland a greener and cleaner place to

live, work and visit.

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.