Free tree vouchers up for grabs in South Gloucestershire

Tree Week is aligned with the start of the winter tree planting season (November to March) and aims to raise awareness of how we can all help to increase tree cover in the UK.

This year, the council is working with three local tree nurseries and the Forest of Avon to promote tree planting at home, with 250 vouchers worth £20 available for residents to claim and use towards the cost of their own tree.

The vouchers are available on a first come, first served basis, with one voucher available per household.

Applicants can choose to use the voucher to help plant a tree in their own garden, or alternatively opt for the voucher value to be passed on to the Forest of Avon Trust to plant a tree on their behalf.

For those who choose to plant a tree in their own garden, the voucher can be used at one of these three tree nurseries:

Landcare Tree Nursery, Old Sodbury

Lodge Farm Trees, Rockhampton (fruit trees only)

Mount Pleasant Trees, Rockhampton.

Planting more trees is part of the council's response to the climate and nature emergency, and they want to double the tree canopy by 2030 to improve biodiversity and keep the local environment healthy.

There is sufficient space in South Gloucestershire to plant the volume of trees to meet these targets, however, most of the land suitable for tree planting is privately owned. So, the council say it's important for residents, landowners, planners and other organisations to identify and make land available for their own tree planting to help contribute to the overall goal.

Councillor Steve Reade, cabinet member responsible for regeneration, environment and strategic infrastructure at South Gloucestershire Council, said: "We are committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and Tree Week provides us with a great opportunity to celebrate trees and their importance to our local, national and global environment."

To claim a free tree voucher, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/treeweek and follow the instructions.