Planting a tree at home
There are plenty of ways that you can plant a tree at home. It's important to plan any tree planting in your garden so that you plant the right tree in the right place, and know how to look after your trees so that they thrive in the long-term.
Which tree to choose
It’s important to plant the right tree in the right place, so that it will thrive and grow to the size you want.
- The Woodland Trust has advice on choosing the right tree
- The Royal Horticultural Society has tips on buying trees and shrubs and also has a useful list of suggested trees for small gardens
- The Forestry Commission has a guide to choosing the right tree for the right place
Where to buy a tree
It's easy to buy a tree to plant at home.
- The Woodland Trust shop has a wide range of native trees suitable for gardens
- The Royal Horticultural Society has a list of tree species and a range of suppliers
How to plant a tree
There are plenty of step-by-step guides you can follow to help you plant a tree:
- The Conservation Volunteers’ video shows how to plant a tree sapling
- The Royal Horticultural Society has a guide on planting a larger tree
- The Woodland Trust has advice on how to plant a tree
Grow your own tree from seed
Instead of buying a tree you can also grow your own tree from seed. Autumn is a great time to collect tree seeds to plant.
- The Woodland Trust has advice on growing a tree from seed
- The Conservation Volunteers have detailed advice on how to grow many of the UK’s trees
How to look after your tree
Looking after your tree, especially in the first few years of its life, is important to make sure it survives and thrives.
- The Woodland Trust has advice on caring for your trees
- The Royal Horticultural Society has advice on tree maintenance
Download Community Tree Planting Guide
Need a document on this page in an accessible format?
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of a PDF or other document on this page in a more accessible format, please get in touch via our online form and tell us which format you need.
It will also help us if you tell us which assistive technology you use. We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days.