LANDOWNERS and communities in Devon are being reminded they have just over four weeks left to apply for this year’s free tree scheme.

Devon County Council is offering up to 50 free tree packs, each containing 45 native broadleaved trees and other items to support their planting and establishment.

The free tree initiative, which was first launched by the County Council as a pilot in December 2019, enables private landowners, and town and parish councils, to plant trees in order to help achieve carbon net zero targets, tackle the Climate Emergency and support nature recovery.

Last winter, more than 17,000 trees were planted in Devon through the Emergency Tree Fund, a project run in partnership with the Woodland Trust, with additional support via the Forestry Commission. This included 6,750 awarded to landowners through free tree packs and more than 9,800 trees planted on the County Farms Estate and other council owned land.

Applications for this year’s scheme need to be completed online by Wednesday 27 September.

Applicants will be notified if they have been successful before the end of October and free tree packs will be delivered in time to be planted during National Tree Week (25 November–3 December).

To find out more about the Emergency Tree Fund visit the County Council’s dedicated webpages.