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 projects during the 2026/27 Winter planting season.
The Branching Out Fund will support groups to 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.
Funded projects must have been planted and groups must have submitted a claim form before 14 March 2027.
The deadline for applications is 19 July 2026 (midnight).