Deadline: 14-Nov-2025
The Tree Council is pleased to reopen their Branching Out small grants fund to support a new season of community tree planting.
They have supported community groups, volunteer Tree Wardens and many others to plant hundreds of thousands of trees across the UK, thanks to generous Tree Partners and other supporters.
Funding Information
- Grants of between £250 and £2,500 are available per application.
Eligible Costs
- Non-native varieties and species if appropriate to the setting or chosen to take into account climate change adaptation or resilience, e.g. urban/park etc. (Please explain your tree selection as part of your application process)
- Fruit trees on dwarfing rootstock, if the setting is appropriate (e.g. nursery/schools etc. Please outline why dwarfing stock has been chosen in your application)
- Trees in containers/raised beds: they prefer to fund trees planted in the ground, however they may consider funding a small number of projects where the trees are planted in containers or raised beds, if the reason is adequately explained and supported by a robust and comprehensive irrigation and aftercare plan. Please get in touch prior to application
Ineligible Costs
- Container-grown stock, except in certain circumstances where selected species may not be available bare-rooted, or it is the only supply available locally
- Imported stock, except when unavoidable (please get in touch)
- Single species planting, unless in an appropriate setting and with a valid reason shown
- Certain invasive or rapidly-growing species e.g. Laurel, Leyland cypress, cherry laurel. You are encouraged to get in touch if uncertain, to avoid disappointment
- Non-native conifers unless in certain circumstances (e.g. urban areas, arboretum, or projects where pollutant control is a key objective)
Eligible Projects
- Projects £250 – £500
- Evidence of:
- Strong community involvement
- Involvement of local schools
- Engaging young people in planning, delivery and aftercare
- Involving a broad cross section of the community (eg. age, gender, ethnicity)
- Good value for money
- Project is part of wider environmental initiatives
- Access to relevant experience within the group or available locally
- Trees sourced locally from a local tree nursery and/or community tree nursery
- Evidence of:
- Projects £500 – £2,500
- All criteria for projects under £500 plus:
- The inclusion of different tree types, e.g. individual trees, hedges, hedges with hedgerow trees or orchards
- A considered establishment and aftercare plan
- Involvement of local Tree Warden/s
- Volunteer-managed and delivered. Please note that they do not routinely fund professional fees or labour
- Demonstrate consideration of risk management, e.g. in identifying the presence of underground service/utilities
- Demonstrate that you have an understanding of your project site and that it is suitable for tree planting (e.g. if you have spoken to a local ecologist /wildlife trust/local natural history society)
- All criteria for projects under £500 plus:
Eligibility Criteria
- To be considered for a grant from The Tree Council’s Branching Out Fund, a project must first meet all of the following core eligibility criteria:
- All applicants must:
- Hold public liability insurance for planting – if this poses difficulties, please get in touch
- Have written permission to plant on the site(s)
- Have a bank account (not a personal account) to receive grant payments
- Ensure their planting project is on public or leased land
- They welcome applications from:
- Schools, colleges or universities
- Constituted community groups
- Childcare nurseries or care homes – charity or community funded
- Tenants and residents associations
- Parish/town councils/community councils
- Tree Warden Networks (preference given to a Tree Council member network)
- Community interest companies (limited by guarantee)
- They do not fund:
- Groups not based in the UK
- Businesses, private companies and profit-making organisations
- Private individuals and/or landowners
- Groups seeking retrospective funding for projects that have already started or have been completed
- Groups that do not have public liability insurance
- All applicants must:
Application Requirements
- Maps and planting plans (more info below)
- Completed Budget Sheet with tree species listed (more info below) –
- An overview of your planting project and what you hope to achieve
- Photos of your site(s), showing the current condition (max 5 per site)
- Your plans for post-planting care, including who will be undertaking the work
- Evidence of permission to plant (e.g. lease, letter from landowner). If still pending, they will require evidence of permission before releasing funds
For more information, visit The Tree Council.