Subsidised trees available to order as Norfolk County Council aims to hit 600,000 trees for Norfolk

Trees in Norfolk are set for another increase as Norfolk County Council launches projects for the new tree planting season which starts in November.

The One Million Trees for Norfolk subsidised tree scheme is now open for individuals, parish councils, community groups, businesses, schools, and landowners to apply for tree packs (and tree protection) at up to 50% off the original price.

As well as the usual range of tree packs available, this year, for the first time there are a limited number of single Norfolk Oak trees, grown at Gressenhall Community tree nursery, making it possible for more people to take part and be 'one in a million'.

Those interested can apply for subsidised tree packs by visiting www.norfolk.gov.uk/subsidisedtreepacks

Cllr James Bensly, cabinet member for environment and waste said:

"As we look ahead to this year's planting season, it's great to see the popular subsidised tree scheme back for another year. Providing people with discounted trees to plant themselves really helps us in our aim to plant 1 million trees for Norfolk. I'm thrilled to report that with the help of these fantastic projects we're launching we will have planted 600,000 trees by next March, and will be working with partners to plant an average of 150,000 trees a year until we reach, or exceed, 1 million trees for Norfolk."

In addition to the subsidised tree scheme Norfolk County Council is once again partnering with Busseys, to launch the Busseys Community Grant. This initiative offers £10,000 in funding to support tree planting projects across Norfolk. Community groups can apply for grants of up to £2,500 to plant trees that provide tangible benefits to their local area. The grant is open to any organisation in Norfolk with suitable land and the necessary permissions for planting.

More information on how to apply, the application process, and deadlines visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/busseyscommunitygrant

Tree planting projects take place from November to March, and as of the end of the 2023/24 planting season Norfolk County Council had planted 486,825 trees across Norfolk since the programme got under way in 2020. These include everything from single urban trees, to hedgerows and woodlands.

Given the range of projects, it is expected that the number of trees planted since 2020 will reach 600,000 trees across the county by the end of the planting season (March 2025).

Other projects supporting our tree planting ambition this year include:

• Free hedgerow planting for County farms tenants
• Tree planting pilots being run as part of the Trees Outside Woodland (ToW) project. We are a partner of the ToW project, led by DEFRA. This is a research project, looking at new ways to increase tree cover outside woodlands and strengthen biosecurity, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
• Free Advice Pilot - we have partnered with the Norfolk Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group to offer free advice to landowners who wish to plant more the 0.5ha of woodland (Woodland creation).
• We also continue to encourage residents to 'Tell Us Where You Planted' by letting us know online if they have planted a tree so they can be part of Norfolk's 1 million Trees story.

For more information on Norfolk's 1 Million Trees initiative visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/milliontrees