Branching Out Fund Accepting Applications for the 2023 Winter Planting Season

The Tree Council is offering grants of between £250 and £2,500 for schools, constituted community groups and charities, community interest companies, Tree Warden networks, and other organisations across the UK to deliver tree-planting activities between the end of November 2023 and early February 2024.

Through the Branching Out Fund, groups can purchase:

• Bare root, UK-sourced and grown, native trees of an appropriate size (priority will be given to younger trees that will establish better).
• UK-sourced and grown, bare-root whips (saplings) and cell-grown (root trainer) stock for hedging projects (between 40-120cm height).
• Hedgerow trees.
• Orchards, such as fruit trees on semi-vigorous, vigorous, and very vigorous rootstocks.
• Cardboard/bioplastic tree/hedge guards.
• Non-plastic ties.
• Stakes (coppiced material such as chestnut or hazel is preferred, although machined softwood will also be considered).
• Mulch.
• Non-peat-based soil improvers if needed.

The following may also be considered:

• Non-native tree varieties if appropriate to the setting.
• Non-native varieties and species that are chosen with climate change adaptation and resilience in mind. 
• Fruit trees on dwarfing rootstock if the setting is appropriate.
• Trees in containers/raised beds if the reason is adequately explained and supported by a robust and comprehensive irrigation and aftercare plan.
• More robust and costly guards if the setting justifies it. 
• Other project resources to support tree establishment such as irrigation equipment like watering cans/irrigation aids, and PPE.

Priority will be given to projects that utilise a wide variety of tree types. Funding is limited and groups are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

The deadline for applications is 3rd December 2023. 

For more information, click here.