Our woodland creation programme

The Council is part of the White Rose Forest partnership that is creating woodland across West and North Yorkshire.

It is part of a larger programme of works, the new Northern Forest of 50 million trees, that will stretch across Merseyside, Manchester and Yorkshire.

When fully grown, each tree will capture a tonne of carbon. They’ll also help prevent flooding and create new habitats for wildlife.

Free tree giveaway

Residents, schools and community groups are encouraged to collect a free tree. This year we have 4,000 trees available.

This is all made possible with help from the Woodland Trust and funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Trees are available to collect every Sunday from Thornes Park Nursery. From Sunday 23 November 2025, 10am to 12pm.

And during National Tree Week, Saturday 22 to Saturday 29 November. When open, you can collect from:

Pontefract Castle
Wakefield WX
Angler's Country Park
Council libraries

The trees are all native species and have been chosen to benefit wildlife. Including:

Hawthorn
Blackthorn
Hornbeam
Hazel
Birch
Rowan
Dogwood
Wild Cherry

Anyone collecting trees should bring a carrier bag to protect the roots. They must have the landowner’s permission before planting the tree. If you need more than 3 trees, please collect from Thornes Park Nursery.

Find out more about the impact of our giveaway.

Tree planting 2025

We planted 25,000 trees in the 2025 tree planting season.

Including 11,690 trees planted with the help of 280 volunteers across 28 days at Walton Colliery. Part of a new 5.3-hectare woodland at the heart of the White Rose Forest.

Planting trees helps tackle climate change. Making our district a greener and healthier place to live. Improving biodiversity and creating new habitats for wildlife.

The map shows where we’re planting and when.

Tree planting season winter 2022/23

Wakefield Council has planted two new woods in January and February 2023. One in the Gawthorpe area of Ossett and another in the Snapethorpe area of Lupset. With the help of around 500 volunteers, we planted around 32,000 trees on 19 hectares of land.

Members of the public suggested and then voted on names for the new woods. They are Maypole Wood (Gawthorpe) and Hope Wood (Snapethorpe).

Find out more

volunteering to plant
creating a Tiny Forest on your school grounds
private landowner planting opportunities
business support
any other enquiries

To volunteer as a tree warden visit: https://treecouncil.org.uk/tree-wardens/.