Get a free tree!

Schools, parish councils and community groups are urged to help boost biodiversity by claiming free saplings in the 2026 Blaby District Council Big Tree Giveaway. 

Organisations can apply for up to 15 saplings free of charge to create a small woodland area or orchard. A mixed selection of native fruit and deciduous trees are on offer, including apple, pear, hazel and oak. 

The aim is to improve local flora and fauna, act on climate change and foster an increased interest in nature. 

During the last initiative in 2024, the Council gave away 159 trees, split between four parish councils, six schools, two community groups and two churches. 

Saplings will be distributed in the autumn and species and numbers will depend on demand and availability but preferences will be met where possible.  

While the Council won’t actively be involved in the physical planting of the trees, guidance and support with the woodland or orchard projects will be on offer. 

Councillor Mike Shirley, Portfolio Holder for Environment said: “A sad fact is that the most recent State of Nature report shows one in six species are now threatened with extinction in Great Britain. We want to make a difference locally by providing saplings so that organisations can plant their own small woodland or orchard. It’s a simple, easy and free way to help address the problem of climate change and improve biodiversity in the district.  

“We encourage organisations to apply, even if you received trees in our last Big Tree Giveaway. However, if demand is high we will prioritise applicants who did not take part in the last scheme.”  

People should email: environmental.services@blaby.gov.uk with an expression of interest, tree type preference and details of how they will deliver and manage the project. The Council will do its best to meet tree preference but cannot guarantee this. The closing date is Friday 31 July. 

Among the recipients in 2024 were Cosby Primary School and Enderby Allotment Society, with both organisations delighted with the results. 

Hannah Knox, Assistant Headteacher at Cosby Primary said: "For several years, Cosby Primary School have been working hard to develop the forest area on the field so that all year groups can enjoy a lovely space for our outdoor learning. We were very lucky to receive some fantastic trees from the Blaby Big Tree Giveaway. The school councillors and the year 6 Eco leaders helped plan where to put them and planted them with a local landscape designer. Pupils have learnt how to look after the trees and how it will help our environment. The school is looking forward to watching them grow and eventually pick fruit from them."  

Paul Fox, from Enderby Allotment Society, said: "During 2024 we started the process of creating a community garden area within our allotments. We used an area that for many years had been two allotment plots with extremely poor drainage. The Big Tree Giveaway was just the encouragement we needed to start the garden project.    

"The weather wasn’t very kind to us but we created a pond to assist with drainage, cleared path areas, seeded grass and wildflower areas and put in fencing where requested pear trees would be trained and planted all the fruit trees. The fruit trees will be brilliant over the next few years. Thanks again for the trees which will be appreciated for many years to come." 

For more details visit: The Big Tree Giveaway

www.blaby.gov.uk/climate-change/our-journey-to-net-zero/the-big-tree-giveaway/ 

Councillor Mike Shirley
Portfolio Holder for Environment