Tree planting
We're working with partners and planting a new generation of trees across Uttlesford.
We've also joined with the Essex Forest Initiative which is a project from Essex County Council. The project makes it easy for you to help with planting trees in Uttlesford.
Uttlesford tree planting
The tree planting programme is part of our response to make Uttlesford a carbon neutral organisation by 2030.
How it works
Town and parish councils can send us proposals to plant native trees and hedges on land in their ownership.
Send your proposals by email to climatechange@uttlesford.gov.uk
After you apply
After you submit your request, your chosen location and type of tree or hedge will be checked.
If your spot is suitable:
- we'll provide funding for you to purchase young trees or hedge stock
- your should plant your tree or hedge between December and March, as this is the best time to make sure they grow well
We'll also be planting trees on open spaces that we own.
The Essex Forest Initiative
In October 2019, Essex County Council committed to plant £1million worth of trees over the next 5 years as part of the Essex Forest Initiative. This will include planting 375,000 trees, over 150 hectares, equivalent to the size of 210 football pitches.
So far trees have been planted across 6 sites in Uttlesford:
- Stortford Road open space and Newton Green in Great Dunmow
- Weaverhead Close open space and Magdalen Green in Thaxted
- Broomfields open space in Hatfield Heath
- Lord Butler Leisure Centre in Saffron Walden
How it works
You can get involved with Essex Forest Initiative by helping at events, providing land, or planting trees.
Find out how you can help the Essex Forest Initiative page on essex.gov.uk.
Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is the UK's largest woodland conservation charity.
They want to make sure everybody in the UK has the chance to plant a tree. So they're giving away hundreds of thousands of trees to schools and communities.
Apply for your woodland planting pack on the Woodland Trust website.
Woodland grants
There are several grants and other incentives available for woodland creation, maintenance, management and tree health.
GOV.UK has an at-a-glance overview of woodland grants and incentives that are currently available. You can also contact your local Forestry Commission (FC) area office.
Why trees are important
Trees deliver lots of benefits in our neighbourhoods. They:
- capture carbon dioxide and produce oxygen
- improve our health and wellbeing, both physically and mentally
- improve air quality by acting like natural filters
- protect us from flooding
- create shading and cooling
- provide natural habitats for insects and wildlife
- improve how an area looks and feels