Deadline: 31-Jul-25
The Tree Council and SP Energy Networks (SPEN) are working in partnership to deliver a programme of tree planting between 2024 and 2028.
Together with local communities, they will plant trees across central and southern Scotland, with a specific focus in areas such as parks, schools, and community spaces. Hedgerow planting, community orchards and other urban planting schemes will also be supported.
Funding Information
- For the 2025/26 planting season, grants of between £2,500 and £10,000 are available per application.
Eligible Costs
- Non-native varieties, if appropriate to the setting, e.g. urban/park etc.
- Must be UK grown Non-native varieties and species which are chosen to take into account climate change adaptation and resilience.
- Must be UK grown Fruit trees on dwarfing rootstock, if the setting is appropriate (e.g. nursery/schools etc).
- Trees in containers or raised beds – they generally prefer to fund trees planted in the ground, but may consider container or raised bed planting if clearly justified and supported by a strong irrigation and aftercare plan.
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.
- Single species planting, unless in an appropriate setting and with a valid reason shown.
- Invasive and rapidly growing species e.g. Laurel, Leyland cypress, cherry laurel.
- Non-native conifers unless in certain circumstances (e.g. urban areas, arboretum, with pollutant control being a key objective).
Eligibility Criteria
- Each project must:
- Be in Scotland
- Be not for profit
- Plant in publicly accessible, publicly visible, or in community-used spaces to ensure broad benefit
- Each applicant must:
- Hold public liability insurance for planting
- Have written permission to plant on the site(s)
- Have a bank account (not a personal account) to receive grant payments
- They welcome applications from:
- Local authorities
- Charities & other NGOS
- Community groups
- Education institutions
- Individual landowners
Selection Criteria
- Clear community benefit and involvement, such as volunteering, education, or wellbeing initiatives
- Improvements in biodiversity at the planting site
- Clear understanding of site suitability for tree planting, based on site-specific considerations
- Thoughtful tree selection following “right tree, right place” principles, supported by a detailed planting plan
- Use of UK-sourced and grown trees, preferably native species from local or community nurseries and/or those that are Plant Healthy certified
- Comprehensive establishment and aftercare plan, including a commitment to maintain the trees and site for a minimum of three years
- Willingness to provide content for external communications purposes
- Commitment to participate in monitoring and evaluation activities post planting
For more information, visit The Tree Council.