Tree planting

Free trees and woodland grants   

Two schemes offer help to community groups, schools, social housing providers and others who want to plant trees this coming autumn and winter.

The Woodland Trust is again giving away free packs of trees to schools and community groups this autumn. The deadline for applications is 3 September 2015, though you are advised to apply early as they are apparently running out of stock. Trees will be delivered in early November. See the Woodland Trust website for details and application forms.

The Mayor of London’s Tree & Woodland Community Grant Scheme offers grants of £2000 to £10,000 for projects that promote or protect trees and woodlands and engage local communities (which includes but is not exclusively for tree planting). Any organisation representing the wider community can apply, including the Council, RPs, charities, community groups, TRAs, Friends groups and local business partnerships. The deadline for applications is 7 September 2015. See the Mayor of London's website for more info and application forms.

Creating new woodland, orchards or mixed native hedges are all objectives in the Tower Hamlets Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP), as is enhancing existing woods. All of these can be done with help from these schemes. Please let the Biodiversity Officer know if you have projects in Tower Hamlets which will contribute to these objectives, so we can record progress towards the LBAP targets.