Tree-at yourself to a free tree sapling

Published: Wed 20th November, 2024

Over 3,500 free trees are on offer to Charnwood residents as part of the borough council’s giveaway.

Residents will have the opportunity to pick up tree saplings from two locations later this month.

The giveaway is being run as part National Tree Week and is encouraging residents to plant in their gardens as part of the Council’s commitment to plant trees and help the environment.

The Council is working alongside its open spaces partner idverde and will be handing the saplings to residents, community groups and parish councils.

Cllr Beverley Gray, the Council’s lead member for climate action and net zero, said: “I’m really pleased that we are able to offer residents the opportunity to pick up their free tree saplings and get planting in their gardens.

“The past giveaways have proven really popular and there is a great variety of trees for residents to choose from.

“These giveaways are so important as trees have huge benefits to the environment and it helps us to encourage residents to help make Charnwood a greener place to live.”

The tree giveaways will take place on:

  • Saturday, 30 November, 10am-2pm – Sports Pavilion, Derby Rd Playing Fields, Cotton Way, Loughborough, LE11 5FJ
  • Sunday, 1 December, 10am-2pm – Birstall Pavilion, Birstall Meadow Road, LE4 3LL

Pre-booking is not required, and trees will be handed out at each session on a first come first basis.

There will be a choice of five varieties and residents can collect up to 10 saplings. The types of trees available include:

  • Silver birch
  • Dogwood
  • Hazel
  • Spindle
  • Rowan

The saplings will be approximately 20cm – 40cm in size when collected and residents will be signposted to a guide on how to plant and look after them.

National Tree Week is run by The Tree Council, taking place between 23 November – 1 December.

The Council gave away free trees to residents at the Charnwood Sustainability Fair in September and the Christmas Eco Market earlier this month. The total free trees given away this year is expected to be around 4,000.

Further information about the giveaway can be found on the Council’s website.

To keep up to date with Council’s free tree giveaway, sign up to the Council’s email alerts.