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

Between November 2025 and December 2025, we gave away another 4,000 free trees. To residents, schools and community groups. To support the return of healthy hedgerows across the district. And help to combat climate change. This means we have now given away a total of 20,000 trees.

This was made possible with help from the Woodland Trust. And with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The trees were all native species and were chosen to benefit wildlife. They included, Hazel, Birch, Dogwood and Wild Cherry.

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/.