Branching Out, The Tree Council grants programme, is now open for applications from community groups, schools, small registered charities, and Tree Warden Networks seeking to establish trees, hedgerows, and orchards in the 2023/24 planting season.
Branching Out provides grants ranging from £250 to £2,500 in value – with a streamlined process resulting in quicker decision making for those applying below £500. To find out if your group is eligible, please read the Application Guidance.
Applying is straightforward, with lots of supplementary information available, and applicants will be supported throughout the process by The Tree Council’s Grants team.
The Tree Council Grants Officer, Geraldine Creaven said: “Branching Out presents a fantastic opportunity for schools and community groups large and small to get their spades in the ground and start establishing life-enhancing and biodiversity boosting trees, hedgerows, and orchards in their neighbourhoods.
“We’re looking to fund projects with a strong community involvement, particularly if they include young people.”
The Tree Council provides comprehensive advice around the types of trees to plant and the tree protection they will need. The focus is on planting a variety of tree species, bare root, with cardboard or bioplastic protection.
Now in its 17th year, Branching Out has supported hundreds of projects in communities throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, delivering new habitats for wildlife, and a green living legacy for residents and visitors to enjoy, from Cornwall to Carmarthenshire, and Fife to Fermanagh.
Many inspirational projects were funded in 2022.
Great Bowden Residents Management Company, in Leicestershire, brought the generations together to establish an oak avenue, and plant 59 native trees – including lime, rowan, maple, walnut and plum – on the 15 acres of community green space it manages.
In Kent, Branching Out supported the charity, Hands of Hope to plant 50 fruit trees, as part of its work tackling food poverty, rural isolation, and loneliness. The fruit trees’ produce will be used by the community, and will form part of the walled, heritage kitchen garden the charity is developing.
Branching Out is accepting grant applications now, with a closing date of 3 December 2023. All projects should be planned for the 2023/24 planting season. Successful applicants are usually informed within five weeks, although this is likely to reduce for grants below £500, previous applicants and Tree Warden Networks.
To find out more, and begin your planting journey, please visit www.treecouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/planting-and-care/our-grants/
