Parish and town councils across South Cambridgeshire are being encouraged to help increase local tree cover by taking part in the latest Six Free Trees scheme.
Since the scheme began in 2019, South Cambridgeshire District Council has given out over 950 trees that have been planted across the district, helping to support biodiversity, enhance green spaces and contribute to local climate action efforts.
The popular initiative is returning for its sixth year, offering parish and town councils the opportunity to claim either six small trees (whips) or one larger pot-grown tree from a selection of native species.
The trees are supplied with stakes, ties and biodegradable tree spirals to help them establish successfully. Additionally, this year a mulch mat will be added to every order, and an optional watering system for bigger trees to help them stay hydrated in dry and hot conditions.
Participating councils will be responsible for planting and caring for the trees once they have been delivered. This year, trees will be delivered earlier than in previous years to give the planted trees more time to establish over the winter months, improving their chances of thriving and coping with dry conditions during the summer.
Schools interested in planting trees are encouraged to contact their local parish or town council, which can submit an application on their behalf. Other publicly accessible planting locations will also be considered. Residents with ideas for suitable tree planting sites in their community are encouraged to contact their parish or town council.
South Cambridgeshire District Council's Lead Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Laurence Damary-Homan, said: "Trees play a vital role in tackling climate change, supporting wildlife and making our towns and villages greener and more pleasant places to live.
We're delighted to be bringing back the Six Free Trees scheme for a sixth year and to continue supporting local communities to plant more native trees across South Cambridgeshire, helping grow the levels of canopy cover in our local area.
By delivering the trees earlier this year, we're giving them a better opportunity to establish stronger roots during the winter months and improve their resilience during drier summer weather. I would encourage parish and town councils to take advantage of this opportunity and help create a lasting environmental legacy in their communities."
Parish and town councils interested in applying can find further information and application details on the Council’s Six Free Trees webpage. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2026.
Looking to do larger scale planting? Apply for the Woodland Trust's free tree packs for schools and communities, which offers tree packs of 15, 30, 105 or 420 saplings.
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