Residents are being given the opportunity to help spruce up their gardens with Colchester City Council’s annual tree giveaway.
The Trees for Years programme, now in its 17th year, will give away 10,000 free native trees, shrubs and fruit bushes to residents. The plants have all been chosen for their ability to promote wildlife in gardens and value to our local bee population.
There will be a click and collect system in place, allowing residents to select their trees (maximum 4 per household), collection point and timeslot via an online form. The scheme is open to residents who live within the Colchester City boundary. We recommend that you bring along a bag or container for your plants.
The trees, plants and shrubs will be available at the following locations:
- Saturday, 17 February: Tiptree Leisure World
- Monday, 26 February: Colchester Sports Park
- Thursday, 29 February: Colchester Leisure World
- Friday, 1 March: Marks Tey Village Hall
The event will be funded as part of the Woodland and Biodiversity Project, which is entering its concluding phase, having been launched in 2019. The Woodland and Biodiversity Project stands as a testament to the collective efforts of the community and key partners. Accomplishments include planting four memorial blossom circles at Kings Head Meadow in Castle Park to commemorate the Covid-19 pandemic, discontinuing the use of glyphosate-based products for general maintenance, establishing Community Orchards in partnership with local groups and councils and various other initiatives and public planting days.
Cllr Andrea Luxford-Vaughan, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Environment, and Sustainability, said: “The success of the Trees for Years programme, coupled with the achievements of the Woodland and Biodiversity Project, showcases our community's dedication to a sustainable and vibrant future. As we distribute trees to our residents, we celebrate the collective strides we've taken in transforming Colchester into a greener city for future generations.”
For more information and to book your timeslot, please visit Colchester City Council's Trees for Years website page.
Page last reviewed: 2 February 2024