Deadline approaching to apply for free trees this winter
Chichester District Council is reminding individuals and organisations to apply for free trees and support materials before the deadline of 17 November 2025, to help deliver new tree planting projects across the district this winter.
The reminder comes in the run up to National Tree Week, which takes place from 22 to 30 November, marking the start of the tree planting season. The councils free tree scheme has been made possible with the support of a grant from The Tree Councils and Defra's Trees Outside Woodland Fund.
The initiative, which is part of the Tree Chichester District scheme, is open to a wide range of applicants — including farmers, landowners, parish councils, community groups, schools, and individuals — provided they own the land or have landowners permission, and the site is suitable for tree planting.
Applicants must plant their trees outside of existing woodlands and demonstrate that the project will have a public or community benefit — this could include planting in publicly accessible spaces or involving local communities in the planting process.
Application forms can be requested by emailing: treescheme@chichester.gov.uk and need to be received by 17 November 2025. The funding will be allocated to suitable projects on a first come, first served basis, and successful applicants must complete their planting projects by 16 February 2026. Each proposed planting site will be assessed by the council's Tree Project Officer.
Were really pleased with the response and the uptake so far, but theres still time for more people to apply, says Cllr Jonathan Brown, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for the Environment at Chichester District Council. If you are looking to plant trees in the district this winter — whether its a community orchard, a hedgerow, a few individual trees or even a Miyawaki mini forest — we want to help you plant it.
Whether you're a farmer, landowner, parish council, community group, school, or individual, wed love to hear from you. To get your application form, please email our Tree Project Officer: treescheme@chichester.gov.uk.
All applications will be assessed to make sure they meet the criteria, which is designed to ensure the trees thrive once they have been planted. We hope to hear from you soon!
As part of the council's Tree Chichester District scheme, the council has planted 65,000 trees across the district at over 210 sites over the past four years, creating ten mini urban forests and 19 community orchards. More information about the scheme can be found on the tree scheme webpage: www.chichester.gov.uk/treesche...
The tree scheme is an integral part of the councils Climate Emergency Action Plan, which runs from 2025 to 2030 and includes a range of projects addressing different aspects of the climate emergency — such as home energy efficiency, tree planting, and community action. People can find out more about this work at:www.chichester.gov.uk/climatec....
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Image: Chichester District Council's Tree Project Officer and Cllr Jonathan Brown