Free Tree Scheme 2024

Free Tree Scheme

The Free Tree Scheme and Hedge Fund are now open for applications from residents in the National Forest area.  Applications will close on Sunday 27th October or sooner if demand is high. 

For the last 15 years we have supported an extended free tree scheme in partnership with the National Forest Company, giving away a total of 212,437 trees and hedging across the district. 

Earlier this year, the Council made the difficult decision to remove funds for the extension of the scheme. This is due to the significant shortfall in our budget from this year onwards, which we are working hard to address.

 This means that only those households, parish councils etc. that fall into the National Forest area are able to apply for free trees this year. The towns and villages that fall within the National Forest area are:

National Forest Towns and Villages
Acresford	Ellistown	Oakthorpe
Albert Village	Grace Dieu	Packington
Ashby de la Zouch	Griffydam	Ravenstone
Bardon	Heather	Snibston
Blackfordby	Hugglescote	Staunton Harold
Charley	Ibstock	Swannington
Coalville	Lount	Swepstone
Coleorton	Measham	Thringstone
Donington le Heath	Moira	Whitwick
Donisthorpe	Newton Burgoland

The trees and hedging will be available for collection on Sunday 17th November 2024 between 09:00 and 11:00.  You will be asked to choose a collection point in either Ashby (Ivanhoe School) or Coalville (Stephensons College) when completing the application form.  

Please note that someone will need to be available to collect the trees on 17th November 2024.  We cannot arrange an alternative collection and any uncollected trees will be given away on the day.  You are welcome to send someone to collect the trees on your behalf. 

Free Tree Scheme 

Residents and community groups in the National Forest area can order up to 2 free trees from the varieties below: 

• Rowan (sorbus aucuparia) -  Can grow up to 15m in height. Silvery grey bark, creamy blossom and red berries that provide food for birds. Rowan berries are edible to humans when cooked and can be used to make jam. 
• Crab apple (malus sylvestris) Can grow up to 10m in height. Crab apple fruits are eaten by birds and mammals and commonly used to make crab apple jelly. The leaves are food for the caterpillars of many moths. 
• Dogwood (cornus sanguinea) - Can grow up to 10m in height. Young shoots are reddish in the winter, the leaves turn deep red in the autumn. Small white flowers, followed by black berries.  
• Field maple (acer campestre) - Can grow up to 20m in height and live for up to 350 years. Small yellow / green flowers develop into large winged fruits. 

Order Your Free Trees Here 

The Hedge Fund 

Residents, landowners, community groups and schools in the National Forest area can order up to 30m of free hedging.  This will comprise of 80% hawthorn, 20% hazel and a field maple at 10m intervals. 

Order your free hedging here 

All the trees are approximately 60cm - 90cm tall and planting guidance will be provided. 

If you have any queries about the schemes, please contact grants@nwleicestershire.gov.uk