Community tree planting: practical advice

Free trees for communities and schools

There are several options for ordering free trees for community and school projects, including:

• TCV's I Dig Trees programme offers packs of 50 trees for community groups.
• For the first 1000 trees sponsored by a resident or local business in a participating borough, the Mayor will sponsor one further tree.
• The Woodland Trust's trees for schools and communities has a variety of tree packs.
• The Tree Council's Orchards for Schools programme.

Planning tree planting

Before starting a tree planting project, it is important to follow good practice guidance for tree planting, and to adopt the principle of "right tree, right place". You must always have the permission of the landowner before planting trees, and have a clear plan for how the trees will be maintained in the long-term.

• the Forestry Commission's Urban Tree Manual has advice on selecting the right tree for the right place in urban areas
• consider the potential allergy impacts of different tree species, especially when planting in areas used by children such as school playgrounds.
• Contact your borough tree officer for advice on possible planting opportunities on local authority land

Planting trees

There are plenty of step-by-step guides you can follow to help you get started with planting trees. The Tree Council has also published guidance on running COVID-aware tree planting events:

• Our planting guide for community tree packs
• TCV's video guide shows you how to plant a tree sapling
• The RHS has a guide to planting a larger tree
• The Woodland Trust has advice on how to plant a tree
• TCV have produced a template risk assessment for tree planting events

Maintaining your trees

Looking after your trees once they've been planted is vital if they are to survive and thrive.

• The RHS has a guide to tree aftercare
• The Woodland Trust has advice on looking after newly planted trees
• The Arboricultural Association has a guide to young tree establishment and resources to encourage the watering of young trees

Get to know your trees

Find out how to identify trees, and the characteristics of different species:

• The Woodland Trust has a guide to British trees
• The Woodland Trust 'Twigged' guide helps identify trees throughout the year

Planting trees in schools

The Woodland Trust's Tree Tools for Schools offer a range of advice on school planting events including:

• Preparing for your planting day
• How to plant a tree
• Tips for safe planting

Recruiting and managing volunteers

Find out how to recruit volunteers to help plant your trees, and make sure they have a positive experience

• TCV have a comprehensive guide to recruiting and managing volunteers
• Volunteering Matters have more advice on finding volunteers