Free trees for Basingstoke residents
It's part of a project to cut pollution
Residents can get two free trees to plant in their gardens this autumn to encourage native plants and wildlife and capture carbon in Basingstoke and Deane.
People can apply for up to two free trees until Sunday 10 November, or when stocks run out, under the new initiative by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and The Hampshire Forest Partnership that aims to see new trees spring up in more than 1,800 gardens across the borough.
The 11 varieties up for grabs are spindle, guelder rose, wayfaring, blackthorn, hazel, elder, hawthorn, crab apple, field maple, bird cherry and rowan trees. Selected because of their suitability for local soil and weather conditions, these varieties of trees will also help to provide shelter and food for native wildlife in people’s gardens in support of the council’s recently adopted biodiversity strategy.
The trees are young, around 20cm to 40cm tall, and people can choose two of the same or two different varieties to plant in their gardens. They will be available for booked collections on Wednesday 16 October or Saturday 30 November at the council’s depot on Wade Road in Basingstoke.
Information will be provided with each of the trees when they are collected, including where in the garden they should be planted and how they should be cared for.
Tree-Mendous
Cabinet Member for the Climate and Ecological Emergency Cllr Chris Tomblin said:
“Every tree people plant in their gardens as part of our ‘Tree-Mendous Giveaway’ will nurture plants and wildlife to support nature recovery while also absorbing pollution and capturing carbon to help tackle the climate emergency.
“And trees have also been proven to be positive for people’s mental health and wellbeing too, with just being around them being calming and helping to reduce stress levels.
“With limited numbers of trees available, anyone who’s interested should apply as soon as possible. And if you want to get more top tips for what else you can do in your garden to encourage nature, then I’d encourage you to book yourself in for a free garden survey with the eco experts in our Green Team too.”
The free trees for people’s gardens are being provided by The Hampshire Forest Partnership, which was set up in 2022 and aims to see one million trees planted across the county as part of an ambitious programme of work by Hampshire County Council to tackle the climate emergency.
People can find out more about the free trees on offer, including which varieties are likely to be best suited to their garden, and apply at https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/tree-mendous-giveaway