With the last round of the Woodland Trust’s free trees scheme having delivered 8,115 trees to 47 organisations in Dorset and 16,230 trees to 98 organisations in Hampshire, applications are now invited for the latest tree-pack giveaway.

The Trust is urging schools and communities across the south to join the fight against climate change and nature loss – and reach a remarkable five million free trees planted across the United Kingdom since 2020.

Applications for the charity’s free tree-packs scheme are open now and schools and community groups are needed to push up the numbers of trees planted by 800,000 to reach five million.

Woodland Trust senior project lead Vicki Baddeley said: “We’re so proud of the numbers of free trees we’ve been able to give away, knowing they’ll be planted where they can really make a difference – in school grounds and out in the community.

“We’re in the grip of a climate and nature crisis which can’t be overcome without concerted action, so I’d urge every school or community group who can, to get involved and plant more trees!

“Applying is easy and all saplings are fully funded for those receiving the trees in our autumn delivery in November. All you need is time and a small piece of land to plant on.”

Trees are one of our strongest defences against the climate and nature crisis. Evidence shows they combat the devastating effects of flooding, pollution and extreme weather and temperatures. They are the ultimate carbon stores. They are essential havens for wildlife and people. And they make the planet a healthier, happier place for everyone.

Vicki added: “In just a few years, your trees will have grown big enough to lock away carbon and be a thriving habitat for wildlife. They’ll offer free shade and shelter and help make the community space or playground, and the people who have access to it, happier and healthier.”

The Woodland Trust’s tree packs have been funded by lead partners Sainsbury’s, Lloyds Bank, OVO Energy, Bank of Scotland and Sofology.

The UK’s largest woodland conservation charity has given away 13.9m trees since 2010. And if schools and communities can rise to the challenge and claim 800,000 saplings in the current round, that figure will be approaching a staggering 15m, an average of more than one million every year.

www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/freetrees