Council offering free trees to residents

Wakefield residents are invited to claim free trees as part of the Council’s efforts to achieve a net-zero district by 2038.

Trees are available to collect from every library in the district throughout November and December, while stocks last. Residents can also collect a tree from Thornes Park Nursery on Sundays from 10am - 12 noon.

The trees are all native species, which have been chosen to benefit wildlife. These are Birch, Hazel, Rowan, Blackthorn and Dogwood.

Up to three trees can be collected per person. No appointment is required to collect trees. Anyone who wants more than three trees should collect from Thornes Park Nursery.

Anyone collecting trees should bring a carrier bag to protect the roots. They must also have the landowner’s permission before planting the tree.

Each tree will capture a tonne of carbon when fully grown, help prevent flooding and provide food and shelter for wildlife.

The launch of the tree giveaway coincides with National Tree Week. Last year, we gave away over 4,000 trees to residents across the district – which can cover the equivalent of four hectares of land.

Wakefield Council is a partner in the White Rose Forest initiative. It aims to plant 7 million trees in West and North Yorkshire by 2025. The White Rose Forest will form part of the Northern Forest of 50 million trees.

Creating new woodlands is part of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan, a mission to make the Council net zero by 2030 and help the district reach net zero by 2038.

For more information about the tree giveaway, visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/woodland.