Free tree scheme launches for 2024
Residents, businesses, community groups, schools and colleges are once again being invited to apply for free trees to help make the borough a greener place to be and to help fight climate change.
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council has teamed up with Hinckley & Rugby Building Society (Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation) and The National Forest Company to offer the trees.
Over 27,000 tree saplings and hedging are available to residents, schools, community groups, town, and parish councils as well as charities and businesses to help make the borough a greener and cleaner place to be.
There is a choice of tree: birch, crab apple, hazel and hornbeam plus, thanks to popular demand five metre hedging packs.
Saplings and hedging can be ordered online here until Sunday 10 November.
Collection is planned for Saturday 23 November and there will be several collection points across the borough. Confirmation of your collection point will be sent out before the collection date.
Cllr Martin Cartwright, Executive Member for Climate Change said: “I am delighted that once again we can offer this free tree and hedging scheme. The benefits of this scheme will last for years to come helping to provide a more pleasurable greener, cleaner environment whilst reducing the impact of climate change at the same time. Trees are brilliant carbon absorbers and planting new native UK-grown trees helps to extend and create havens for wildlife, boosting biodiversity.
“Having seen the success when we previously offered free trees, children especially lead the way in collecting and planting them. The Borough Council has declared both a climate emergency and a biodiversity emergency. This initiative helps with both.”
Cllr Lynda Hodgkins, Executive Member for Street Scene Services added: “We are extremely grateful to Hinckley & Rugby Building Society and The National Forest for sponsoring this scheme once again. This scheme is helping to make the borough a greener and more beautiful place to be. All ages and abilities can get involved to plant and care for a tree. Don’t miss out, order a tree today.”
Barry Carter, CEO, Hinckley & Rugby Building Society said: “We are proud to again be the lead sponsor of this excellent initiative, which highlights our ongoing commitment to fighting climate change and improving the local environment. Hinckley & Rugby Building Society has a strong tradition of supporting local good causes, and we are delighted to be involved in this project.”
Gill Forrester, Community and Wellbeing Manager, National Forest Company said: “We are delighted to once again support Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council with its annual Free Tree Scheme. Trees really are transformational in the landscape, for biodiversity and for our wellbeing. By encouraging more people to plant suitable native trees in their gardens, we are helping to grow a greener, healthier and more sustainable future for everyone to enjoy.”
The trees are small cell grown plants, sourced from the UK.
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