Free tree schemes

There are currently plenty of schemes and initiatives encouraging landowners and communities within Devon to plant native broadleaved trees. Doing so will help replace the vast number of ash trees that are now dying through ash dieback, as well as supporting wildlife, enhancing our landscapes for people to enjoy, and helping to reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. This year DCC will be offering free tree packs for the fifth year running. 

Devon County Council Free Tree Packs for landowners 

Devon County Council is offering free trees to landowners across Devon, to help combat climate change, compensate for ash dieback and support our declining wildlife. 

Each free tree pack will contain 45 trees comprising three types of native broadleaved tree commonly found throughout Devon.

Image credit: Richard Haigh

Are you eligible?

If you have a field corner to spare or another area where you would like to establish a small copse, linear woodland or extend an existing woodland, you can apply for a free tree pack. In previous years free packs of 45 saplings containing oak, birch and rowan trees have been supplied to eligible landowners. To give trees enough space to develop a good crown and grow to maturity, we advise planting at 3m random spacings, which requires an area of approximately 400m sq. (e.g. 20m x 20m) for 45 trees.    

The following conditions apply: 

  1. The trees must be planted in Devon  
  2. The tree planting location (or locations) must be suitable in terms of size and location in the landscape.  
  3. The planting must be carried out within the first week of receiving the tree pack. Alternatively trees can be ‘heeled in’ to a temporary location, but if this is the case, the trees must be planted in the agreed location no later than the end of March 2024.
  4. A person (landowner or their appointee) must be named as responsible for planting and maintaining the trees according to the instructions, so that after 5 years the trees are well established and growing healthily.  
  5. We require a photograph of the planted trees as evidence of completion. If not provided to us by the end of May 2024, we may wish to access the planting site to check and record (through a photograph) that the planting has been carried out. Arrangements for such a visit will be agreed in advance with the landowner.  

To apply, please complete our online form here by 27th of September 2023This is the deadline that would enable tree packs to be delivered in time for you to plant in National Tree Week (25th of November – 3rd of December). Applications after this date would be subject to availability. You will be notified if you have been successful before the end of October 2023 and your tree pack will be dispatched to you on a date confirmed by the tree nursery we appoint. 

GDPR Statement: Please read our GDPR Privacy Notice. By applying for a free tree pack, you will be indicating your consent for Devon County Council to hold your data and share it with the relevent parties, including its tree suppliers for the purpose of arranging delivery of trees. 

If you are interested in the scheme, please do not delay applying. In previous years, the scheme has been extremely popular and highly oversubscribed.  

Saving Devon’s Treescapes

This project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, is being run by Devon Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Forum. Find out more about the project and what it offers here: Saving Devon’s Treescapes Devon Wildlife Trust 

Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust offers free trees for schools and communities. Find out more here: Free Trees for Schools and Communities – Woodland Trust