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Free trees for landowners in the UK: Where to get them

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A guide to free tree schemes for UK landowners in 2025, covering where to get trees from organisations like the Woodland Trust, Tree Council, and local councils, plus grant funding options to support planting, fencing, and long-term management.

Updated on 19th February 2025

If there’s one thing better than planting trees, it’s getting them for free. Whether you’re looking to restore hedgerows, improve biodiversity, or create shelterbelts, there are plenty of schemes in 2025 that offer free trees and funding support for landowners across the UK.

With increasing government targets for tree planting and environmental restoration, charities, councils, and environmental groups are offering tree packs, grants, and funding to help landowners improve their land at little to no cost. But navigating these schemes and securing funding can feel like wading through a dense thicket.

That’s where AskGrant can help. We make it easy to find the right grant, secure funding, and get a successful application over the line.

Why free trees? Why now?

The UK is pushing for millions of new trees to be planted by 2050 to tackle climate change, boost biodiversity, and prevent flooding. But tree planting isn’t just about national targets—it’s also about making land more resilient, valuable, and productive for those who own and manage it.

For landowners, free tree schemes provide a low-risk way to improve estates, farmland, and community areas while reducing costs. Many schemes don’t just give away trees—they fund fencing, maintenance, and even long-term land management.

But knowing where to get free trees and how to fund planting projects properly is crucial. Here’s where to look in 2025.

Where landowners can get free trees in the UK

Woodland Trust – Free Trees for Farmers & Landowners

The Woodland Trust is one of the UK’s biggest tree-planting organisations and offers multiple free tree initiatives:

  • Trees for Landowners and Farmers – Subsidised tree packs and planting advice for large-scale projects.
  • Free Trees for Schools & Communities – If you collaborate with a school or community project, you can access free trees and expert planting support.

Applications for 2025 are already open, and trees are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Tree Council – Branching Out Fund

The Tree Council offers grants ranging from £250 to £2,500 for tree planting projects that enhance biodiversity and support local ecosystems. While primarily for community projects, landowners can access funding if they partner with schools, charities, or conservation groups.

Grants can cover tree costs, fencing, and aftercare, making it easier to establish long-term planting success.

Local Council Free Tree Schemes

Many county councils run free tree schemes to help landowners and farmers plant trees and hedgerows. These schemes vary by region, but some of the most active include:

  • Leicestershire County Council – Offers free tree and hedge packs to landowners, particularly for replacing trees lost to disease.
  • Lincolnshire County Council – Runs tree giveaway schemes for farmers, estates, and community projects.
  • Greater Manchester Combined Authority – Provides tree packs through the City of Trees initiative.

Every council has different deadlines and eligibility criteria, so check your local authority’s website for details.

Severn Trent Free Tree Scheme

If your land sits within the Severn Trent Water region, this scheme offers free trees and financial support for tree planting. It also provides funding for fencing, land preparation, and up to 10 years of tree maintenance support.

Ideal for farmers and landowners looking to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, or reduce flood risk.

The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) – 'I Dig Trees' Programme

In partnership with OVO Energy, TCV’s 'I Dig Trees' programme provides free tree packs to landowners looking to increase tree cover. It’s open to estates, farms, and public-access landowners.

Applications tend to fill up quickly, with trees allocated for planting each autumn.

International Tree Foundation Grants

For landowners working on community-based conservation projects, the International Tree Foundation provides funding for tree planting and woodland creation.

This scheme is particularly useful for estate owners, land managers, and those with conservation goals looking to secure additional funding for larger projects.

Funding tree planting beyond free tree schemes

While free trees are a great starting point, many landowners combine them with grant funding to cover fencing, maintenance, and long-term management costs.

The best funding options include:

  • England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) – Grants up to £8,000 per hectare, with additional payments for biodiversity, water management, and climate resilience.
  • Countryside Stewardship (CS) Capital Grants – Provides up to £9.50 per metre for hedgerow planting, plus fencing and maintenance support.
  • Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) – Pays landowners annual grants for maintaining hedgerows, buffer strips, and trees.
  • Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) – A long-term funding option where developers pay landowners for tree planting and habitat creation as part of biodiversity offsetting.

By combining free trees with government grants, landowners can maximise funding and turn tree planting into a financially viable project.

How AskGrant helps landowners secure tree funding

Free trees are great—but getting funding for fencing, planting, and long-term management is where the real opportunity lies.

AskGrant helps landowners find the best funding options, navigate eligibility rules, and apply successfully for grants.

  • Discover which tree-planting grants you qualify for
  • Compare funding for woodland creation, hedgerows, and agroforestry
  • Get tailored guidance on securing long-term financial support for tree projects

Planting trees isn’t just about doing good for the environment—it can also make financial sense when combined with the right grants.

Sign up for AskGrant today and let’s turn your tree-planting plans into a fully funded project.

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A guide to free tree schemes for UK landowners in 2025, covering where to get trees from organisations like the Woodland Trust, Tree Council, and local councils, plus grant funding options to support planting, fencing, and long-term management.

Updated on 19th February 2025

If there’s one thing better than planting trees, it’s getting them for free. Whether you’re looking to restore hedgerows, improve biodiversity, or create shelterbelts, there are plenty of schemes in 2025 that offer free trees and funding support for landowners across the UK.

With increasing government targets for tree planting and environmental restoration, charities, councils, and environmental groups are offering tree packs, grants, and funding to help landowners improve their land at little to no cost. But navigating these schemes and securing funding can feel like wading through a dense thicket.

That’s where AskGrant can help. We make it easy to find the right grant, secure funding, and get a successful application over the line.

Why free trees? Why now?

The UK is pushing for millions of new trees to be planted by 2050 to tackle climate change, boost biodiversity, and prevent flooding. But tree planting isn’t just about national targets—it’s also about making land more resilient, valuable, and productive for those who own and manage it.

For landowners, free tree schemes provide a low-risk way to improve estates, farmland, and community areas while reducing costs. Many schemes don’t just give away trees—they fund fencing, maintenance, and even long-term land management.

But knowing where to get free trees and how to fund planting projects properly is crucial. Here’s where to look in 2025.

Where landowners can get free trees in the UK

Woodland Trust – Free Trees for Farmers & Landowners

The Woodland Trust is one of the UK’s biggest tree-planting organisations and offers multiple free tree initiatives:

  • Trees for Landowners and Farmers – Subsidised tree packs and planting advice for large-scale projects.
  • Free Trees for Schools & Communities – If you collaborate with a school or community project, you can access free trees and expert planting support.

Applications for 2025 are already open, and trees are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Tree Council – Branching Out Fund

The Tree Council offers grants ranging from £250 to £2,500 for tree planting projects that enhance biodiversity and support local ecosystems. While primarily for community projects, landowners can access funding if they partner with schools, charities, or conservation groups.

Grants can cover tree costs, fencing, and aftercare, making it easier to establish long-term planting success.

Local Council Free Tree Schemes

Many county councils run free tree schemes to help landowners and farmers plant trees and hedgerows. These schemes vary by region, but some of the most active include:

  • Leicestershire County Council – Offers free tree and hedge packs to landowners, particularly for replacing trees lost to disease.
  • Lincolnshire County Council – Runs tree giveaway schemes for farmers, estates, and community projects.
  • Greater Manchester Combined Authority – Provides tree packs through the City of Trees initiative.

Every council has different deadlines and eligibility criteria, so check your local authority’s website for details.

Severn Trent Free Tree Scheme

If your land sits within the Severn Trent Water region, this scheme offers free trees and financial support for tree planting. It also provides funding for fencing, land preparation, and up to 10 years of tree maintenance support.

Ideal for farmers and landowners looking to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, or reduce flood risk.

The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) – 'I Dig Trees' Programme

In partnership with OVO Energy, TCV’s 'I Dig Trees' programme provides free tree packs to landowners looking to increase tree cover. It’s open to estates, farms, and public-access landowners.

Applications tend to fill up quickly, with trees allocated for planting each autumn.

International Tree Foundation Grants

For landowners working on community-based conservation projects, the International Tree Foundation provides funding for tree planting and woodland creation.

This scheme is particularly useful for estate owners, land managers, and those with conservation goals looking to secure additional funding for larger projects.

Funding tree planting beyond free tree schemes

While free trees are a great starting point, many landowners combine them with grant funding to cover fencing, maintenance, and long-term management costs.

The best funding options include:

  • England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) – Grants up to £8,000 per hectare, with additional payments for biodiversity, water management, and climate resilience.
  • Countryside Stewardship (CS) Capital Grants – Provides up to £9.50 per metre for hedgerow planting, plus fencing and maintenance support.
  • Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) – Pays landowners annual grants for maintaining hedgerows, buffer strips, and trees.
  • Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) – A long-term funding option where developers pay landowners for tree planting and habitat creation as part of biodiversity offsetting.

By combining free trees with government grants, landowners can maximise funding and turn tree planting into a financially viable project.

How AskGrant helps landowners secure tree funding

Free trees are great—but getting funding for fencing, planting, and long-term management is where the real opportunity lies.

AskGrant helps landowners find the best funding options, navigate eligibility rules, and apply successfully for grants.

  • Discover which tree-planting grants you qualify for
  • Compare funding for woodland creation, hedgerows, and agroforestry
  • Get tailored guidance on securing long-term financial support for tree projects

Planting trees isn’t just about doing good for the environment—it can also make financial sense when combined with the right grants.

Sign up for AskGrant today and let’s turn your tree-planting plans into a fully funded project.