Free tree giveaway for Chelmsford residents back for 2024
Chelmsford City Council is excited to announce the return of its popular tree giveaway for 2024!
Following the success of last year’s event, it is returning this year with an increased number of trees to allow even more people to take part. This year, there are 1,400 trees available to distribute to Chelmsford residents, offering even more opportunities to add greenery to outdoor spaces and give nature space to thrive.
One tree per Chelmsford household can be claimed from today, Monday 7 October 2024, until 7 November 2024 or whilst stock lasts on the Love Your Chelmsford website. Residents can choose from four different tree species: Evergreen Oak, Hazel, Hornbeam, and Wild Cherry. The trees will be available to be collected in late November (see dates and locations below).
How to claim a tree
- Visit https://loveyourchelmsford.co.uk/tree-giveaway from now until 7 November 2024 (or until stock lasts) and follow the steps on screen.
- There are 350 of each of the four tree species available and it will show next to each tree how many are left.
- This scheme is only available to residents served by Chelmsford City Council.
- Only one tree per household - we want as many people as possible to have the opportunity to take part!
How to collect your tree
Pre-ordered trees will be available to collect as part of National Tree Week from:
- Bell Meadow Plaza (Central Park), Saturday 23 November 2024, 9.30am–1pm
- Compass Gardens (South Woodham Ferrers), Thursday 28 November 2024, 10am–2pm
- Melbourne Park, Chelmsford, Friday 29 November 2024, 10am–2pm
Residents will be required to show the confirmation email and their proof of address when they arrive at the collection point.
Staff from the city council’s parks team will be available on the collection days to offer advice about caring for the trees. The two-year-old trees will be approximately 40-60cm high when collected, but over time can grow between 4 to 25 metres depending on the species and its planting conditions. (Trees kept in pots won't reach these heights).
The parks team can provide paper carrier bags for the trees, but residents are welcome bring their own bags or container if preferred.
Cllr Rose Moore, Cabinet Member for a Greener Chelmsford, is hopeful residents take up the opportunity to participate in the tree giveaway:
“The aim of our tree giveaway is to help make Chelmsford an even greener, fairer, and more connected place. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just getting started, everyone’s welcome to apply for a free tree to take home. We can all play our part in giving nature space to thrive, and it has been wonderful to hear from people who gave a tree a home in 2023 and shared their stories with us.
Cllr Rose Moore, Cabinet Member for a Greener Chelmsford
From the moment they’re welcomed into their new homes, these young trees will provide food, shelter and, ultimately, vital habitat for all sorts of wildlife. There are many small changes we can make in our own outdoor spaces to benefit wildlife; planting a tree is one of the best ways to give nature a helping hand.”
Increasing biodiversity in Chelmsford
The tree giveaway is part of the council’s Space to thrive initiative to increase green spaces across Chelmsford and help nature and wildlife to prosper. The aim of the tree giveaway is to give residents the opportunity to increase the greenery in their gardens or outside spaces. It doesn’t matter how big or small an outside space is – gardens, patios and balconies are all excellent homes for the young trees. The parks team will be able to give guidance on where and how to plant the tree depending on its new home.
Trees help us maintain a healthy city. They provide clean air, store carbon and support whole ecosystems. Although the trees will be small when initially planted, they will become part of a bigger network of biodiversity across the district. Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area – the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world.
Planting more trees in the district will provide more homes for insects and wildlife as well as providing them with a source of food. Every part of the Chelmsford area has a role to play in creating corridors for the wildlife that lives here too. Giving one of the free trees a new home and following the care instructions to help it grow, will be a positive step in letting nature thrive.
To find out more, visit loveyourchelmsford.co.uk. Help Chelmsford City Council support biodiversity and give nature space to thrive.
Charlotte writes about the environment, parks, recycling, business, planning, public realm and democratic services.