Free Tree Scheme 2021

The Free Tree Scheme and The Hedge Fund will open for applications on 18th January 2021

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we were unable to run the Free Tree Scheme and the Hedge Fund as normal in November 2020 but the schemes are back and trees will be available to collect on Sunday 28th February 2020 from locations in Ashby de la Zouch, Coalville and Castle Donington.  We are limiting the number  of trees available in order to ensure that collections can happen safely, so make sure that you order your trees early! The scheme will be back again in November 2021 as normal so there will be another chance to order then. 

Since the scheme started in 2008 the residents of North West Leicestershire have planted over 120,900 trees and we have once again teamed up with The National Forest Company and HK Wentworth Ltd to make our district even greener in 2021

Trees available this year:

Bird Cherry (Prunus Padus) An attractive flowering tree with almond scented flowers in May. These turn into small black bitter fruits. Good orange yellow leaf colour in autumn. Grows up to 15m tall

Dogwood (Cornus Sanguinea) -  is a deciduous shrub of upright, bushy habit, with young shoots reddish in winter, ovate leaves turning deep red in autumn, and small white flowers in flat clusters, followed by black berries.

Holly (Ilex Aquifolium) - an evergreen shrub growing to 6m tall. Its small, oval leaves have a puckered upper surface and short, sharp spines cover the entire leaf

Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia ) An elegant tree with delicate green leaves bearing clusters of creamy white flowers in spring and bright red berries in autumn, loved by birds. Grows up to 15m tall.

The offer is available to each household and community organisation within the district to apply for up to 2 trees. 

All the trees are two years old and approximately 60-90cms (2 to 3 feet) high.

The Hedge Fund 

Are there gaps appearing in your hedge row?  If so you can apply for up to 30 metres of a mix of Hawthorn and Dogwood with a Rowan every 10 metres.   The aim is to help plant up the National Forest and provide more hedgerow corridors to help link wildlife habitats.  This scheme is open to residents, landowners, local groups and local schools. 

All the trees are two years old and approximately 60-90cms (2 to 3 feet) high. They will be supplied together with a guidance sheet on how to plant and look after them.

Please note the Free Tree and Hedge Fund schemes are open to North West Leicestershire residents.  If you live outside the district please contact your local council to see if they operate a similar scheme

Full details of collection points and times will be provided with your order confirmation email. 

Supporting our Free Tree Scheme

We are pleased to work in partnership with the National Forest Company and H K Wentworth to deliver the 2021 Free Tree Scheme.

Tree planting guidance (Word Document, 0.1 Mb)

Hedge planting guidance (MS Office Document, 0.86 Mb)