The Woodlands Trust has re-opened its applications for schools and community hubs to receive free trees ahead of the spring.

Almost 9,000 schools and community groups benefitted from the scheme in 2022, with the figures for this year being the charities’ best yet.

Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care, covering approximately 29,000 hectares. Access to its woods is free so everyone can benefit from woods and trees including popular local hotspots like Plas Power Woods in Wrexham and Greenfield Valley Heritage Park in Flintshire.

READ MORE: Little Hobbits Forest School to open Wrexham nursery

Woodlands Trust senior project leader, Vicki Baddeley, is keen for even more schools and groups to take advantage of free saplings over the next year: “This year our communities have really felt the impact of climate change first hand, and many are seeing the incredible benefits trees can bring to provide much needed shade, shelter, and help to prevent flooding.

“By offering the free packs we aim to equip our schools and communities with a simple yet mighty tool to combat the effects of climate change, as well as provide ever more vital food and habitats for local wildlife.”

The Woodland Trust’s free tree packs scheme has seen trees sent far and wide this year, with the spring giveaway alone delivering a total 623,910 saplings to 3,865 organisations across the UK, with Wales seeing over 40,830 trees going to 205 separate organisations.

Over the next year, the Trust has outlined plans to giveaway more than 1.3m free trees which will be a record number.

Ms Baddeley added: “Giving away 1.3m in 2022 will be a huge achievement, but I am confident we can do even better in 2023 and deliver every one of the 1.4m saplings available.

 “We couldn't do this without the support and generosity of our funders. We have great backing, and our thanks go out to each of them for their vital support.

“The desire to plant trees is growing all the time and we expect demand for our free trees to be even greater this time out.

“There will be 600,000 saplings up for grabs in the spring round of applications and I have no doubt they will go quickly so I would advise any interested groups to apply sooner rather than later to secure their saplings!

To apply, please visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/freetrees