Annual Garden Tree Giveaway

Eco SoCo is supporting a FREE Garden Tree Giveaway in Sonning Common

Sound good? Want to make your garden beautiful and help wildlife?

All the free trees on offer are native UK trees and you can usually choose from:

• Spindle

• Wayfaring tree

• Guelder rose

• Crab apple

• Mountain ash

• Hawthorn

• Hazel

• Field maple

• Wild cherry

• Silver birch

The trees will be in the form of ‘bare-root whips’ between 60-90 cm high and they’re limited to two per household. You can order just one tree if that’s all you have room for.

Which trees are best for your garden?

Small gardens are generally suitable for one or two small trees, usually near the boundary but be careful not to plant your tree too close to yours or your neighbour’s houses. Spindle, Wayfaring Tree and Guelder rose are best for smaller gardens. Whilst Crab Apple, Mountain Ash, Hawthorn, Hazel and Silver Birch are all great options for a medium garden.

How can you protect your trees?

In most gardens, you won’t need to protect your tree but if your garden is open to the countryside, a spiral and a cane can help protect from rabbit damage. If muntjac are regular visitors, you’ll need a 1.2m guard and stake to protect your tree. These are readily available to order online or through local tree nurseries.

How can you order my trees?

Applications open for you to apply online for your free trees in August. Check www.internationaltreefoundation.org/garden-tree-giveaway and Eco SoCo Facebook Group posts for release date. In October you’ll hear more details from ‘The International Tree Foundation’ on collecting your trees. In December you can collect your free trees from Eco SoCo at Abbey Crest, Sonning Common and plant them in your garden. Please keep a record of your confirmation email for when you collect your tree.

Trees will be available on a first come, first served basis, so to secure your trees the best advice is to order early