Hounslow Council's tree giveaway scheme is back. Based on the success of last year's event, we will be giving away 1,000 fruit trees for residents, schools and allotment holders to plant.
Published: Thursday, 27th October 2022
Following the success of Hounslow’s tree giveaway of 2021, ‘Free Trees for Hounslow’ is back, and bigger than ever.
Hounslow has pledged to plant 7,500 trees this year, which includes one tree planted for every child born in the borough.
As part of this, the Council is giving 1,000 free fruit trees to residents, schools, and allotment holders to plant.
While schools will be contacted directly, residents and allotment holders can register their interest at www.hounslow.gov.uk/free-trees, and apply for their choice of tree. But hurry, trees will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Trees will be given out at three collection events throughout autumn and winter:
- Sunday 27 November: Turnham Green, Chiswick
- Sunday 11 December: Redlees Park car park, Isleworth
- Sunday 15 January: Hounslow Heath car park,
Central Hounslow November’s collection day coincides with the start of National tree planting week, which takes place between 27 November and 5 December 2022, and signals the beginning of tree planting season.
The potted fruit trees are approximately 60cm in height, and will need to be removed from the pot and planted into the ground during the dormant season (November to end of March). Tree species available are: Apple (Elstar, Golden Delicious), Brown Turkey Fig, Victoria Plum, Hazelnut ‘Kentish Cob’, and Doyenne du Comice Pear.
The Council is working in conjunction with Lampton Greenspace 360 and Greentalk to deliver the borough-wide giveaway. Hounslow Greentalk provides a hub for many green issues including tree-mapping, tree adoption, and information on how to care for trees.
Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Parking, Parks and Leisure, Councillor Salman Shaheen said: “We were delighted with the success of our previous tree giveaway for residents, and as a Council we were determined to provide even more options for residents this time around.
“By providing 1,000 free trees – double the number last year – we’re excited to be able to offer residents even more opportunity to increase canopy cover across our borough.
“Similarly, by opening up our initiative to both schools and allotments holders as well, we’re able to give even more people the chance to help create a greener and more sustainable Hounslow.
“Planting new trees helps to mitigate the effects of climate change, encourages biodiversity, and supports all sorts of different habitats. Trees play such an important role in our borough, and we’re always intent on growing our tree planting community."
For more information about Free Trees for Hounslow please visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/free-trees
If you are interested in tree planting, or would like more information on how to adopt a tree, visit www.hounslow.greentalk.io
