OUR FREE TREE GIVEAWAY WAS ON SATURDAY 25th NOV 2023
Colehill Parish Council again offered free trees to Colehill residents this year as part of our action plan for the Climate Emergency.
Residents were able to collect a tree from The Reef from 1:30pm to 4pm on Saturday 25th November as part of our joint community event with Colehill Community Library who held a book sale at the same time.
The trees provided were cell-grown saplings, ranging from approximately 15cm-60cm in height, so are easy to carry away by hand. Numbers of each variety are limited and will be given out on a first come first served basis. Unfortunately for trees this size it’s possible that 10% might not grow but if your tree was unsuccessful this time and your tree didn’t grow, don’t worry we plan to offer more trees in future years.
For help with planting and caring for your tree, see the guidance from the Woodland Trust on How to Plant a Tree
Tree Varieties
Subject to availability you could choose from the varieties of tree shown below, click on each tree name for further details.
Silver birch is a popular garden tree. Tolerant of a range of temperatures, it thrives in dry woodlands, downs and heaths.
Beautiful blossom and a bounty of bright red fruits. Wild cherry , one of the prettiest native trees, is relished by gardeners and wildlife.
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
Rowan grows well in light acidic soils, reaching an average height of 15m. Twigs are slender and purple-grey with purple hairy buds. Bark is greyish silver with dark horizontal markings. Clusters of white flowers appear in late spring with orange-scarlet berries in autumn. Leaves have 15 serrated leaflets arranged in pairs with a single leaf at the tip.
Hawthorn Trees & Hedges (Crataegus monogyna)
Hawthorn is an amazing tree for wildlife gardens and can be planted as a hedge or single tree. It has beautiful pink-white blossom in May and ruby-red berries, called haws, in summer. The appearance of the May blossom was the herald of the end of winter and the beginning of summer.
Hazel Trees & Hedges (Crataegus monogyna)
In spring, hazel is laden with pretty ‘lambs tail’ catkins and in autumn it produces nuts popular with wildlife. This tree responds well to close pruning. Hazel is also distinguished in legend as a magical tree that provides protection.
Dogwood Trees & Shrubs (Cornus sanguinea)
Grow this plant for its shimmering crimson and orange winter stems. In spring it has creamy white flowers and in autumn its leaves turn red. Dogwoods generally grow well (and look great) in front of an evergreen hedge where nutrients, water and sunlight are in short supply for other species.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about our free tree scheme…
Q: How big are the tree saplings?
A: The trees being provided are cell-grown saplings, ranging from approximately 15cm-60cm in height, depending on variety, so easy to carry away by hand.
Q: Is winter the best time to plant a tree?
A: Yes, the Woodland Trust say the best time to plant tree saplings is during winter as the trees need to be dormant when planting into new soil.
Q: I will be at work during the collection times, can someone else collect a tree on my behalf?
A: Yes you can nominate a friend, neighbour or family member to collect your tree on your behalf.
Q: Can I choose my tree species?
A: Yes, we have 6 types of tree available, as listed above, and you can pick which one you want, subject to availability.
Q: Why did Colehill Parish Council provide free trees?
A: This is one of our actions to help tackle the climate emergency. Trees are one of the best options available to offset CO2, the trees we’re giving away will when mature offset approximately 15 tonnes of CO2 per year, equivalent to the emissions from a car driving c. 70,000 miles.
Q: How can we afford to give the trees away?
A: The trees are heavily subsidised by the Woodland Trust and their sponsors.
Q: Who are the Woodland Trust?
A: The Woodland Trust are the UK’s largest Woodland Conservation Charity. They have planted 43 million trees since 1972, and aim to plant 10 million more trees every year for the next 5 years.