Tree pack FAQs

• Schools across the UK, plus nurseries, colleges, universities and outdoor learning centres
• All kinds of different groups such as resident associations, sports clubs, parish councils, scouts, guides and many more.

You don’t need to belong to an official organisation. You could even set up a group for the purpose of planting, but you must be not-for-profit. The most important thing is that your group is willing to take on the planning, planting and care of the saplings.

If you’re applying as a school your trees should be planted on either the school grounds, land the school has arranged regular access to or in an area that is publicly accessible.

If you’re applying as a community group, the land needs to be accessible to the public. You should also make sure your local community are aware of your plans to plant and are happy for you to go ahead.

The community involvement needs to be more than just being in sight of a public footpath or an annual open day. We are unlikely to award trees which will be planted on private land such as large gardens or paddocks, unless there is genuine public access.

However, there are other options if you are not eligible for this scheme. You can buy the tree packs, or take advantage of subsidised tree packs and projects such as our schemes for landowners and farmers.

The trees can be planted as copses, groves, avenues, shelter belts, hedgerows and many other ways.

The amount of space you need will differ depending on how you plant your trees.

• A 30 sapling pack will cover around one tennis court, or create 6-8 metres of double-row hedging
• A 105 sapling pack will cover 4 tennis courts, or create a double-row hedgerow of 20-25 metres

For advice on choosing your planting location and how far apart to plant your trees, visit where to plant.

Tree Tools for Schools has an excellent planting planner where you can experiment by planting virtual tree packs on your land.

You can request up to four separate tree packs as long as the total does not exceed 420 trees in each application cycle. If you have a small plot you may only need one small pack.

We have two different pack sizes: 30 and 105.

There is no limit to the number of times you can participate in the scheme.

If you order more than one pack, please be aware that they may be delivered at different times.

The trees in our packs have been selected to grow in a wide variety of site conditions, so whichever pack you choose should suit your space.

We cannot customise any individual packs. Single trees and more pack types can be purchased through our shop.

Since 2023, plastic tree guards haven't been included with our free tree packs. Many trees will survive without any protection at all and for small-scale projects, simple monitoring and basic aftercare can be enough to ensure success. 

If you feel extra measures are necessary due to rabbits, deer or other mammals in the area, you could consider tree cages or fencing, buy tree guards or follow our DIY protection video to make your own.

The saplings are 20-60cm tall. This makes them easy to transport, easy to handle and easy to plant. Saplings this size also establish very quickly and can reach an adult’s head height in around eight years. The saplings can also be self-supporting so they don’t need increasingly large stakes to keep them secure.

Experience and feedback from previous tree pack planters tells us that you should not underestimate this element of your project.

• The key to successful planting is planning, and establishing the best location for your trees to thrive is a great place to start. If you're not sure, email FreeTreesNI@woodlandtrust.org.uk for advice.
• Some sites may require weeding or mowing if overgrown. This will also help reduce competition for water, nutrients and light for the young saplings
• If removing thick vegetation after mowing, rake or scrape the loose vegetation away to expose the ground. Clearing this excess will make the planting easier
• Mark out where each tree will go using stones, spray paint or canes. You could also paint the tips of the canes to correspond with the species colour codes. These are detailed in the planting instructions booklet you will receive with your trees
• If the soil is hard, you might want to dig holes before your event.

Make sure you have enough people to help you plant:

• An adult could probably plant between 12 and 20 trees in one hour
• Aim to plant between one to three trees per child, depending on the age of the children and the condition of the ground.

Make sure you have enough tools and equipment: 

• Gloves and appropriate footwear
• Spades the right size for any children involved. Small children may find a trowel easier to handle.

Remember friends, family and community groups can provide an extra pair of hands and spades!

You will receive planting instructions and care advice with your tree delivery, plus seasonal advice by email. You can also read our planting and aftercare advice.

The planting and tree care section of Tree Tools for Schools is packed full of useful advice and guidance that's relevant for community groups as well as schools too.

We aim to let everyone know within approximately eight weeks of applying.

It is worth checking your junk and/or spam folders if you don’t hear from us – sometimes filters inadvertently re-direct our good news!

If you need to change anything or cancel your application please email FreeTreesNI@woodlandtrust.org.uk.

If your application is successful you will be sent a deadline date for changes. Once this date has passed we are unable to make any changes or accept cancellations.

Please be aware we can’t tailor or make any bespoke amendments to the packs.

Your trees will be delivered by courier in November. They will need to be signed for so please make sure you select a suitable delivery address that will be occupied during working hours. If nobody is in, the driver will leave a card so that you can re-arrange delivery.

We cannot arrange specific times and dates for your delivery. The tree nursery will email you a link shortly before the delivery date to help you track your parcel.

If your trees do not appear by the end of the delivery period, please get in touch with us as soon as possible so that we can investigate and get your trees to you. Please email FreeTreesNI@woodlandtrust.org.uk.

If you have ordered more than one pack, please be aware that they may be delivered at different times.

Since your trees are cell grown, we recommending planting them as soon as possible for the best chance of survival. Don't delay more than severn days after delivery.

Remove the trees from the boxes and store them outside. A garage or outbuilding would be ideal. Keep your saplings upright and sheltered from frost and wind. Lightly spray the roots with water when they arrive, and check them weekly to ensure they don’t dry out. Watch our video for top tips on keeping your saplings in good condition.

If you are organising a planting event, we recommend planning for the last week in November in case of any delivery delays. You can also find some tips on planning a successful tree planting event on the planting and tree care section of Tree Tools for Schools.