We're helping communities across Westmorland and Furness plant one tree, or the same length of hedgerow, for every resident. Over the next five years, we aim to plant 250,000 trees to help nature and tackle climate change.
Trees bring many benefits for nature, the climate and local communities. They can:
- absorb and store carbon
- provide shade and shelter
- increase biodiversity and enhance landscapes
- capture air pollution and improve air quality
- improve water quality
- reduce soil erosion
- reduce flooding risk
Get involved
There are many ways you can help us reach our goal of planting 250,000 trees.
If would like more information, or want to tell us how about trees or hedgerows you have planted, please contact us.
Free trees for residents
We are giving away tree saplings as part of the one tree per resident project.
Who can apply
You can apply on behalf of:
- yourself as a resident
- schools and nurseries
- town and parish councils
- landowners
- community groups
- businesses
Trees
You can apply for multiple saplings. Larger planting schemes will be assessed for feasibility.
Tree species and numbers are subject to availability.
Tree species
There are eight species of tree available through the scheme. First, decide whether you will plant your tree in the ground or in a pot.
When you collect your trees, you can choose from the types available on the day. Tree availability may vary depending on supply.
Available tree types and growing conditions
Norway maple
Norway maple grows to around 10 to 15 metres tall when fully mature. It is best suited to medium and large gardens and grows well in most soil types, except acidic soils. It can tolerate some shade and requires little maintenance once established. Norway maple is known for its attractive golden autumn leaves.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn grows to around 5 to 8 metres tall and is suitable for gardens of all sizes. It can also be grown in a large pot. It tolerates most soil types and flowers best in full sun. Once established, it requires little maintenance. It is an excellent choice for wildlife because its flowers and berries provide food and shelter for many species.
Blackthorn
Blackthorn reaches around 5 to 8 metres in height and is suitable for gardens of all sizes or large pots. It grows in most soil types and flowers best in sunny locations. It requires little maintenance after establishment. It is a valuable tree for wildlife, providing flowers for pollinators and berries for birds.
Hazel
Hazel grows to around 4 to 6 metres tall, making it a good choice for smaller gardens or large pots. It prefers moist soil, except waterlogged, and can grow in any light conditions. Hazel requires little maintenance and may produce nuts when mature. It is a good coppice tree.
Rowan
Rowan grows to around 8 to 12 metres tall and is suitable for small and medium-sized gardens. It grows best in light, acidic soils and a position fully in the sun. It requires little maintenance and produces berries that attract birds.
Silver birch
Silver birch can reach 12 to 20 metres in height and is most suitable for medium and large gardens. It grows best in sandy or acidic soils and needs a sunny location. It grows quickly and develops a light, open canopy. Medium level of maintenance may be needed as it matures.
Whitebeam
Whitebeam grows to around 10 to 15 metres tall and is best suited to medium and large gardens. It prefers alkaline or chalky soils and a sunny position. It has distinctive silvery leaves and a compact shape. It provides benefits for wildlife while requiring little maintenance.
Oak
Oak is a large tree suitable for larger gardens with space to grow. It prefers well-drained loamy soil and a sunny location. Oak trees produce acorns and provide food and habitat for a wide range of wildlife. Some maintenance may be required as the tree matures.
Chestnut
Chestnut is another large tree that is best suited to larger gardens. It grows well in well-drained, slightly acidic soils and prefers full sun. Mature trees produce chestnuts and support many species of wildlife. Some maintenance may be required over time.
Read the Woodland Trust's advice on choosing the right tree and how to plant it
How to apply
Before you apply, you'll need the What3Words location for your planting site.
Applications will be open until 30 November 2026, subject to closing early.
No hedge packs are available this year.
Apply for the Free Trees for Residents Scheme
Partners
Our current partners include:
- Forestry Commission
- Lake District National Park
- RAISE Community Forest
- Ullswater Catchment Management CIC
- Woodland Trust
- Yorkshire Dales National Park
Progress
To date we have planted more than 151,000 trees, which is 61% of our goal to plant one tree for every resident.
Council teams have led this work with support from the Woodland Trust and Growing Well @Treebay.
Our partner, Raise: Cumbria Community Forest, has also helped deliver tree planting projects across the area.
Contact us
We're keen to hear from you if you:
- are interested in partnering
- would like to get involved
- have any suggestions about how to get involved
- want to record your tree planting under the One Tree per Resident project
- have any questions about the scheme
Future Trees Team
Email: ClimateAction@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk