Trees and hedges for new planting
All schemes are open to applications – individuals and groups can apply to more than one scheme for each site.
- Free trees? See our Free tree packs
- Free hedgerow? See our Free hedge packs
- A new native woodland (0.5 ha or more)? Please see MOREwoods
Free landscape trees? See our free tree replacement scheme which offers standard feathered trees around 1.5-2m in height for planting in fields, parks and the wider landscape.
For a new native hedgerow (>100m) see MOREhedges
Leicestershire County Council and Woodland Trust
In partnership with the Woodland Trust and their corporate partner Lloyds Banking Group, we offer a range of schemes to suit different requirements and work together to encourage new woodland and tree planting across Leicestershire.
Free tree packs
We will be giving away 200 tree packs this year. To encourage trees to grow outside of woodlands such as on public open space, schools, field corners, parkland and to fill gaps in hedgerows.
If you live within Leicestershire, you're entitled to apply for 1 or 2 tree packs of 50 saplings each, per household/land holding. The tree packs will include a mix of oak, wild cherry, crab apple, field maple and hazel and are supplied with 1.2m Tubex guards and stakes.
If you have a suitable site to plant 50 trees and would like to apply, please email lcctreepacks@woodlandtrust.org.uk with the following details:
- Name
- Phone number
- Planting location (postcode or grid reference)
The packs will need to be collected from Beaumanor Hall, LE12 8TX on one of two handout dates during the planting season. Provisionally, these are either:
- Monday 1 December 2023
- Wednesday 21 February, 2024
Deadline for applications: 31 October 2023.
Free hedge packs
If you’re planning to plant a new native hedgerow with hedgerow trees or fill in gaps to existing hedges, then this scheme can support your project. Each pack is enough to create a new hedge of 50m length at 5 plants per metre.
Each pack contains a mix of native shrubs (hawthorn, hazel, blackthorn, field maple, dog rose) and a small number of oaks to be planted as future boundary trees.
Please note: private gardens and new hedgerows that are part of a planning condition are not eligible for this scheme.
If you have a suitable site to plant 50m of hedgerow and would like to apply, please email lcctreepacks@woodlandtrust.org.uk with the following details:
- Name
- Phone number
- Planting location (postcode or grid reference)
The packs will need to be collected from Beaumanor Hall, LE12 8TX on one of two handout dates during the planting season. Provisionally, these are either:
- Monday 1 December 2023
- Wednesday 21 February 2024
Deadline for applications: 31 October 2023.
MOREwoods
MOREwoods is the Woodland Trust’s large scale woodland creation support scheme. If you’re planting a new native woodland of >0.5ha (1.25acres) in size, then this scheme can support your project with advice and funding. You can read more about the scheme and apply for MOREwoods on the Woodland Trust website.
Thanks to Leicestershire County Council’s partnership with the Woodland Trust, landowners in Leicestershire can qualify for an enhanced subsidy for this scheme. On a self-plant scheme 90% of the cost of trees and on-tree protection will be subsidised. On schemes over 1ha, there's also a contractor-planted option where 75% of the cost of the trees, protection and planting will be subsidised. If you're interested in MOREwoods and require further information, please email plant@woodlandtrust.org.uk
Planting
All applicants are responsible for planting the trees, either yourselves or using a contractor. Advice can be given by the Woodland Trust
Making the application
Please email lcctreepacks@woodlandtrust.org.uk with your name and contact details or call 0330 333 5303, making sure you quote: Leicestershire County Council tree (or hedges), as required.
You can also make an application at woodlandtrust.org.uk/LeicsTrees
If you're a member of a community group, parish council or school you can apply at Free trees for schools and communities (Woodland Trust).