Residents, schools, community groups, town and parish councils, and charities in Hinckley and Bosworth now have the chance to receive free tree saplings and hedging, with over 27,000 available. The trees include birch, crab apple, hazel, and hornbeam, along with five-meter hedging packs.
This initiative is part of a partnership between Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Hinckley & Rugby Building Society (via the Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation), and The National Forest Company. The goal is to make the borough greener and contribute to the fight against climate change.
Saplings and hedging can be ordered online here until Sunday 10 November.
Cllr Martin Cartwright, Executive Member for Climate Change, expressed his enthusiasm for the scheme, saying, “I am delighted that we can once again offer this free tree and hedging scheme. These trees will provide long-lasting benefits, creating a greener, cleaner environment and reducing climate change impacts. Trees are excellent carbon absorbers, and planting native UK-grown trees enhances habitats for wildlife, boosting biodiversity.”
He also noted the success of previous tree giveaways, where children often led the way in planting them. “The Borough Council has declared both a climate and biodiversity emergency, and this initiative addresses both.”
Saplings and hedging can be ordered online until Sunday, 10 November. The collection date is set for Saturday, 23 November, with multiple collection points across the borough. Confirmation of collection details will be provided closer to the date.
Barry Carter, CEO of Hinckley & Rugby Building Society, said, “We are proud to sponsor this initiative once again, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to fighting climate change and supporting the local environment. Our organization has a long-standing tradition of backing local causes, and we are delighted to contribute to this project.”
Gill Forrester, Community and Wellbeing Manager at the National Forest Company, added, “We are excited to support Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council with its annual Free Tree Scheme. Trees play a crucial role in transforming landscapes, supporting biodiversity, and improving wellbeing. By encouraging more people to plant native trees in their gardens, we help create a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future for everyone.”
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