Together with local communities, they will plant trees across central and southern Scotland, with a specific focus in areas such as parks, schools, and community spaces. Hedgerow planting, community orchards and other urban planting schemes will also be supported.

Funding Information

• For the 2025/26 planting season, grants of between £2,500 and £10,000 are available per application.

Eligible Costs

• Non-native varieties, if appropriate to the setting, e.g. urban/park etc.
• Must be UK grown Non-native varieties and species which are chosen to take into account climate change adaptation and resilience.
• Must be UK grown Fruit trees on dwarfing rootstock, if the setting is appropriate (e.g. nursery/schools etc).
• Trees in containers or raised beds - they generally prefer to fund trees planted in the ground, but may consider container or raised bed planting if clearly justified and supported by a strong irrigation and aftercare plan.

Ineligible Costs

• Container grown stock except in certain circumstances where selected species may not be available bare rooted, or it is the only supply available locally.
• Imported stock, except when unavoidable.
• Single species planting, unless in an appropriate setting and with a valid reason shown.
• Invasive and rapidly growing species e.g. Laurel, Leyland cypress, cherry laurel.
• Non-native conifers unless in certain circumstances (e.g. urban areas, arboretum, with pollutant control being a key objective).

Eligibility Criteria

• Each project must:
  • Be in Scotland
  • Be not for profit
  • Plant in publicly accessible, publicly visible, or in community-used spaces to ensure broad benefit
• Each applicant must:
  • Hold public liability insurance for planting
  • Have written permission to plant on the site(s)
  • Have a bank account (not a personal account) to receive grant payments
• They welcome applications from:
  • Local authorities
  • Charities & other NGOS
  • Community groups
  • Education institutions
  • Individual landowners

Selection Criteria

• Clear community benefit and involvement, such as volunteering, education, or wellbeing initiatives
• Improvements in biodiversity at the planting site
• Clear understanding of site suitability for tree planting, based on site-specific considerations
• Thoughtful tree selection following "right tree, right place" principles, supported by a detailed planting plan
• Use of UK-sourced and grown trees, preferably native species from local or community nurseries and/or those that are Plant Healthy certified
• Comprehensive establishment and aftercare plan, including a commitment to maintain the trees and site for a minimum of three years
• Willingness to provide content for external communications purposes
• Commitment to participate in monitoring and evaluation activities post planting

For more information, visit The Tree Council.