Free Tree Giveaway!

Trees on Tees Initiative

Trees on Tees is an exciting new programme launched in March 2023 stemming from the ambitious plan to plant one million trees and increase woodland creation in the Tees Valley. The current Trees on Tees team of 3.5 Project Officers and a Project Coordinator are funded by the Forestry Commission Woodland Accelerator Fund and the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub to March 2025, to create an easily accessible assistance programme for all to help boost tree planting and woodland creation across the region. The support can range from providing guidance on planting, site suitability and funding options to linking and signposting people to volunteering or potential partnership projects with the aim of supporting the Right Tree in the Right Place.

Trees on Tees Free Tree Give Away

As well as supporting a wide range of people and organisations including businesses, community groups, landowners, farmers, schools and charities to identify areas suitable for tree planting, secure funding and provide guidance to plant trees and woodlands, the Trees on Tees team will be giving away a free tree this winter to Tees Valley residents.

To register for a free tree just complete the form at Trees on Tees – Tees Valley (teesvalley-ca.gov.uk). If you select ‘resident’ as your Status option ‘Click here to receive a FREE tree’ will appear. The trees will be available for collecting in late November for planting in the Tees Valley and we’ll confirm the collection dates and venues in each borough nearer the time. There will be a choice of species when you collect your tree and guidance on how and where to plant it. The aim is to help people plant the Right Tree in The Right Place. Trees may be planted on private or community land but must have the permission of the landowner.

Landowners – Trees on Tees Needs You!

If you’re a landowner or know of a landowner wanting to plant trees in the Tees Valley we’d like to hear from you as the Trees on Tees team may be able to provide guidance and support to help you achieve your planting aims and can help direct you to grants which may be able to help pay for your trees. Whilst we’re interested in all areas of planting we’d particularly like to spread the word to hear from landowners and land managers who are interested in planting larger areas over 0.5ha. This can include businesses who own or manage land. Support may also be available for hedgerow planting.

We’re planning on doing some targeted engagement with landowner groups but if you know of any landowners or managers who’re interested in tree planting and would like some support in identifying suitable land and potential funding, please do point them in our direction. If they register an interest at Trees on Tees – Tees Valley (teesvalley-ca.gov.uk) one of our Project Officers will get in touch with them.

Community Groups and School Planting Projects – We Need You Too!

Trees on Tees would also like to hear from school, community or allotment groups in the Tees Valley who’d like support to help them plant trees or create community orchards and there may funding to support them. So if you’re involved with a school or community group please register your interest as a school or community group at Trees on Tees – Tees Valley (teesvalley-ca.gov.uk).

 Support for Businesses

If you’re a business wanting to get involved with planting trees or hedges on your own land, planting trees elsewhere in the Tees Valley, volunteering, or helping support tree planting schemes in other ways please get in touch with Trees on Tees by registering an interest at Trees on Tees – Tees Valley (teesvalley-ca.gov.uk)