Our free trees scheme 2024

To help combat climate change, this year we have given away over 27,000 free trees to residents, businesses, and landowners in the borough.

Trees are essential for people, wildlife, and the environment. Planting native trees (those which grow naturally in the UK) is essential to tackling climate change, and we have been pleased to find many residents taking their part to help through this year's scheme.

All trees given out under this scheme must be planted within the borough of Hinckley and Bosworth.

The species and number of trees we have been giving away are:

• Birch trees – 1,000
• Hazel trees – 1,000
• Hornbeam – 1,000
• Crab apple – 1,000
• Five-metre hedging packs – 920 (25 hawthorn and one tree per pack)

The free trees scheme 2024 has now closed

You were able to order your free trees and hedging until 10 November 2024.

Why plant native trees

Our free trees scheme is only offering native trees (those which grow naturally in the UK) to ensure the trees provide maximum benefit for local wildlife and are best suited to our local climate and soils. All the trees are grown in the UK from seed collected in the UK.

Benefits of growing trees include:

• Trees produce oxygen and they absorb and store harmful gases and pollution, including carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas which is causing global warming). They also purify water and air, reduce flood risk by absorbing large amounts of water, offer shade and naturally cool the air around them by two to eight degrees in urban areas, during heat waves acting as natural air conditioners. A mature tree can absorb 150kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) a year. Assuming all the free trees survive for 40 years, they will absorb over 10,000 tonnes of carbon
• Trees are important for biodiversity. By planting native trees in our gardens, we provide food and shelter for all sorts of wildlife including birds, insects, shade-loving plants and lichen or fungi. Trees protect soils and their leaves are an important part of the nutrient cycles
• Nature makes us better. During the coronavirus pandemic, many people rediscovered nature and enjoyed welcoming more wildlife into their gardens. This benefitted both their own mental health and created valuable habitats for local wildlife. In short, we are nature, and we all benefit from being part of our local ecosystem. It is our natural health service

For further information on the benefits of tree planting, visit tree planting and nature

Our sponsors

Without the support of sponsors, we would not have been able to offer this many free trees. Our sponsors for this scheme are Hinckley & Rugby Building Society and the National Forest. Please take a look at the information about our sponsors. We are incredibly grateful for their support.

Thank you also to Barlestone community centre and Sibson village hall for allowing us to have tree collection points on their premises.

Last updated: 15/11/2024 10:52