Free trees help tackle climate change

Residents have been claiming free trees as part of the Council’s efforts to achieve a net-zero district by 2038.

After a hugely successful giveaway last year, the Council once again offered free trees to residents. Planting trees allows individuals to make a positive contribution to nature recovery and tackling climate change.

Trees help create a greener district, improve biodiversity, and support wildlife. They also improve air quality and remove carbon from the atmosphere.

Trees were made available to collect from every library in the district throughout November and December. There were Birch, Hazel, Rowan, Blackthorn and Dogwood, which are native species and chosen to benefit wildlife.

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

Last year, the Council gave away over 4,000 trees to residents across the district – which can cover the equivalent of four hectares of land.

The 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.

The Council planted 25,000 trees in the 2025 tree planting season. To create a range of habitats for wildlife and help tackle climate change by capturing carbon.

To find out more visit: www.wakefield.gov.uk/woodland