Deadline: 19-Jul-2026
The Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund supports not-for-profit community tree planting projects across England, Scotland and Wales. Grants of £2,500 to £10,000 are available for projects that improve green spaces, increase tree coverage, support biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience and provide visible community benefits.
Eligible applicants include local authorities, charities, NGOs, community groups, education institutions and individual landowners. Projects must take place in publicly accessible, publicly visible or community-used spaces and must meet key governance requirements, including public liability insurance, written site permission and a non-personal bank account.
Fund Overview
The Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund supports community tree planting projects across the UK.
The fund is designed to improve green spaces, enhance biodiversity and create environmental benefits for local communities.
It works in partnership with local communities to increase tree coverage and support sustainable land use in places where people can access, see or use the planting.
Funding Available
Grants of between £2,500 and £10,000 are available per application.
The funding supports not-for-profit tree planting activities that deliver long-term environmental and community benefits.
Geographic Coverage
The fund supports community tree planting initiatives across:
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
Projects should be located in publicly accessible, publicly visible or community-used spaces.
Main Objective
The main objective of the fund is to support community tree planting that improves green infrastructure and benefits people and the environment.
The fund aims to:
- Increase tree coverage
- Improve public green spaces
- Support biodiversity
- Enhance environmental quality
- Strengthen climate change adaptation
- Promote community engagement
- Support sustainable land use
- Improve accessible and visible community spaces
- Deliver long-term environmental benefits
Key Focus Areas
The fund supports community-led environmental improvement through tree planting.
Key focus areas include:
- Community tree planting
- Environmental enhancement
- Biodiversity
- Climate change adaptation
- Green infrastructure
- Public access green spaces
- Community engagement
- Sustainable land use
- Publicly visible planting
- Community-used outdoor spaces
What the Fund Supports
The fund supports not-for-profit tree planting projects that improve local environments and benefit communities.
Supported projects may include:
- Tree planting in public green spaces
- Community planting schemes
- Biodiversity enhancement projects
- Climate-resilient planting
- Tree planting in schools or educational sites
- Planting in community-used spaces
- Green infrastructure improvements
- Planting in publicly visible locations
- Projects that increase local tree coverage
- Environmental improvement initiatives involving local communities
Community Benefit Requirement
Projects must demonstrate clear community benefit.
This means the planting should improve spaces that local people can access, see or use.
Examples of suitable locations include:
- Parks
- School grounds
- Community gardens
- Public pathways
- Publicly visible land
- Community-managed spaces
- Educational institution grounds
- Shared green spaces
- Local environmental improvement sites
The fund is intended to support planting that benefits people as well as nature.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Local authorities
- Charities
- Non-governmental organisations
- Community groups
- Education institutions
- Individual landowners
Applicants must ensure that the project is not for profit and delivers clear public or community value.
Applicant Requirements
Applicants must meet key governance and delivery requirements.
Applicants must have:
- Public liability insurance for planting activities
- Written permission for the planting site
- A non-personal bank account for receiving grant payments
- Capacity to deliver the planting safely and responsibly
- Clear plans for community benefit and project management
These requirements help ensure accountability, safety and effective project delivery.
Site Requirements
Projects must be carried out in locations that are:
- Publicly accessible
- Publicly visible
- Used by the community
This ensures that the benefits of the planting are shared with local people and contribute to wider environmental improvement.
Tree Stock and Species Guidance
The fund encourages responsible species selection and appropriate planting choices.
Tree stock should be suitable for the location, climate and long-term maintenance needs.
The fund does not generally support imported stock unless unavoidable.
UK-grown non-native species may be considered where appropriate, especially when they support climate resilience or suit the planting context.
Non-Native Species
Non-native species may be considered if they are UK grown and appropriate for the site.
This may include:
- Climate-resilient species
- Fruit trees in suitable settings
- Trees appropriate for schools or nurseries
- Species selected for specific environmental conditions
Applicants should explain why any non-native species are suitable and beneficial.
Fruit Trees
Fruit trees may be supported where they are appropriate to the setting.
Suitable locations may include:
- Schools
- Nurseries
- Community orchards
- Educational spaces
- Community gardens
Fruit tree projects should include a clear plan for maintenance, watering and long-term care.
Planting Practices the Fund Discourages
The fund discourages single-species planting unless it is clearly justified.
A mix of suitable species is usually preferred because it can improve biodiversity, resilience and long-term survival.
Applicants should avoid planting designs that are overly narrow, poorly suited to the site or vulnerable to pests, disease or climate stress.
What the Fund Does Not Support
The fund does not support certain planting choices or practices.
Ineligible or generally unsupported items include:
- Imported stock except where unavoidable
- Single-species planting without strong justification
- Invasive species
- Rapidly growing species such as laurel
- Leyland cypress
- Cherry laurel
- Non-native conifers except in specific contexts
- Planting that lacks clear public or community benefit
- For-profit planting projects
Non-native conifers are generally not funded unless they are clearly justified for specific settings such as urban areas or arboretums with pollution control objectives.
Why This Fund Matters
Community tree planting can improve the quality of local environments while supporting climate and biodiversity goals.
Trees help provide shade, improve air quality, reduce flood risk, support wildlife, store carbon and improve the appearance of public spaces.
The Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund matters because it helps communities create greener, healthier and more resilient places across England, Scotland and Wales.
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should prepare a clear proposal that explains the planting plan, community benefit, site suitability and long-term care arrangements.
Step 1: Confirm Project Eligibility
Applicants should confirm that the project is not for profit and located in England, Scotland or Wales.
The project must improve a publicly accessible, publicly visible or community-used space.
Step 2: Identify a Suitable Site
Applicants should choose a site where tree planting will provide visible and practical community benefit.
The site should be appropriate for tree growth, safe planting and long-term maintenance.
Step 3: Obtain Written Permission
Applicants must secure written permission for the planting site.
This is required to show that planting is authorised and that the project can proceed responsibly.
Step 4: Confirm Insurance and Bank Account Requirements
Applicants must have public liability insurance for planting activities.
They must also have a non-personal bank account for receiving grant payments.
Step 5: Choose Appropriate Tree Species
Applicants should select trees that are suitable for the site and long-term climate resilience.
Species choices should consider:
- Local conditions
- Biodiversity value
- Climate adaptation
- Maintenance needs
- Long-term survival
- Community use
- Environmental benefit
Step 6: Prepare an Aftercare Plan
A strong application should explain how trees will be cared for after planting.
An aftercare plan should include:
- Watering
- Protection from damage
- Weed control
- Replacement planning where needed
- Maintenance responsibilities
- Monitoring of tree survival
- Community involvement where relevant
Step 7: Demonstrate Community Benefit
Applicants should clearly explain how the project will benefit local people.
Benefits may include improved green space, biodiversity, education, community involvement, climate resilience or better public spaces.
Step 8: Prepare a Realistic Budget
Applicants should request between £2,500 and £10,000.
The budget should clearly explain the cost of trees, planting materials, protection, site preparation, aftercare and related delivery activities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:
- Applying for a project with no clear community benefit
- Choosing a site that is not accessible, visible or community-used
- Failing to obtain written site permission
- Not holding public liability insurance
- Using a personal bank account for grant payments
- Proposing imported stock without justification
- Proposing single-species planting without explanation
- Choosing invasive or unsuitable fast-growing species
- Including laurel, Leyland cypress or cherry laurel
- Proposing non-native conifers without a specific justification
- Failing to include an aftercare plan
- Submitting a for-profit planting project
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should:
- Clearly show public or community benefit
- Select an accessible or visible planting site
- Use suitable and responsibly sourced tree stock
- Explain species choices clearly
- Include a strong aftercare plan
- Demonstrate biodiversity and climate benefits
- Show community involvement where possible
- Provide written site permission
- Confirm public liability insurance
- Use a non-personal bank account
- Present a realistic and justified budget
FAQ
1. What is the Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund?
The Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund supports not-for-profit community tree planting projects across England, Scotland and Wales.
2. How much funding is available?
Grants of between £2,500 and £10,000 are available per application.
3. Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include local authorities, charities, NGOs, community groups, education institutions and individual landowners.
4. What types of projects are supported?
The fund supports community tree planting, environmental enhancement, biodiversity projects, green infrastructure, climate adaptation and planting in publicly accessible or community-used spaces.
5. What site requirements apply?
Projects must take place in publicly accessible, publicly visible or community-used spaces.
6. Are non-native trees allowed?
UK-grown non-native species may be considered where appropriate, especially where they support climate resilience or suit specific settings such as schools, nurseries or urban areas.
7. What planting is not supported?
The fund does not support imported stock except where unavoidable, unjustified single-species planting, invasive species, laurel, Leyland cypress, cherry laurel or non-native conifers except in specific justified contexts.
Conclusion
The Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund provides grants of £2,500 to £10,000 for not-for-profit tree planting projects across England, Scotland and Wales.
The fund supports community-led planting that improves green spaces, increases biodiversity, strengthens climate resilience and creates visible environmental benefits for local people.
Applicants should prepare clear proposals that show community benefit, appropriate site permission, responsible species selection, strong aftercare planning and accountable project delivery.
For more information, visit The Tree Council.
