Free Tree Giveaway Returns to Wakefield This Weekend: Here’s How to Get Yours

Ever thought about making your garden a bit greener or helping out local wildlife without it costing a penny? If you live in or around Wakefield, you’re in luck. Wakefield Council is bringing back its super popular free tree giveaway, giving thousands of trees to anyone who wants to help make the district a leafier, happier place for people and animals. It’s a brilliant chance to get your hands dirty, plant something that will grow for years to come, and do a bit of good for the environment right on your doorstep.

Back by popular demand: more free trees for Wakefield

You know something’s a good idea when it’s this popular. The last time the council ran this scheme back in November and December 2025, a whopping 4,000 free trees were snapped up by residents in just four weeks! People were clearly buzzing to get planting. Because of the huge demand, Wakefield Council has teamed up with The Woodland Trust again to get even more trees ready for new homes. It’s all part of a bigger plan to create a greener district and give local wildlife habitats a much-needed boost.

Cllr George Ayre, who is Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Civic Services, shared his thoughts on the project’s success. He said: “We’re working closely with the Woodland Trust to offer more free trees to our residents. The uptake from the last giveaway showed just how enthusiastic people are about bringing more green life into our community.”

He also added a great point for anyone who felt they missed out before: “Anyone who missed out last time has another opportunity to collect a tree for their home. Tree planting helps improve air quality and increase biodiversity – all as part of our journey to create a greener district." So, if you were kicking yourself for not getting one last year, now’s your chance to put that right. An initial batch of 4,000 trees will be ready to go from the start of February, with another 6,000 arriving the week after.

How to get your hands on a free tree

Getting a tree is really simple. There’s no complicated form to fill out or booking system to worry about. You just need to show up. Here’s everything you need to know:

• Where to go: The main collection point is Thornes Park Nursery in Wakefield. Keep an eye out though, as some trees will also pop up at other local public venues.

• When to go: Collections will run every Sunday, starting from Sunday 8 February 2026. The collection window is between 10am and 12pm. It’s first-come, first-served, so they’ll be available every Sunday until all the trees have been claimed.

• What to bring: The trees are saplings, so their roots need protecting. Remember to bring a large, sturdy bag (like a shopping bag for life) to carry your new tree home safely.

• A quick bit of homework: Before you plant your tree, you must have permission from whoever owns the land. So if you rent your home, just have a quick chat with your landlord first.

When you pick up your tree, you’ll be asked for your postcode. This isn’t for marketing or anything like that; it’s just so the council can create a map and see where all the new trees are being planted across the district. It’s a great way to see the collective impact everyone is having.

What kind of trees are up for grabs?

These aren’t just any old trees. The selection has been carefully chosen to include native species that are perfect for supporting British wildlife. Think of it as rolling out the red carpet for local birds, bees, and insects. On offer are some fantastic varieties:

Tree Type Why It's Great Rowan Produces bright red berries that birds absolutely love in the autumn. Wild Cherry Beautiful blossoms in spring for the bees, and cherries for birds later on. Hornbeam A tough tree with lovely foliage that holds its leaves well into winter. Holly Evergreen, so it gives colour all year round, plus those iconic red berries. Field Maple A smaller native maple that turns a gorgeous golden-yellow in autumn. Dogwood Known for its stunning, colourful stems that brighten up a winter garden.

And that’s not all. Soon after the launch, Hawthorn and Blackthorn trees will also be available. These are absolutely brilliant for planting as hedgerows, which are like superhighways for small animals.

Roger Parkinson, a volunteer with The Woodland Trust, saw the enthusiasm first-hand. “The response that we had previously was amazing,” he said. “We had people and businesses from across the district picking up trees for their gardens and land. I was delighted to also support local schools to get involved too. So, it’s great that we can now offer more trees to even more people. These new trees will support local wildlife and contribute to our efforts to combat the effects of climate change.”

It's more than just a tree in your garden

Planting even one tree makes a surprisingly big difference. Trees are like nature’s vacuum cleaners, sucking up carbon dioxide and cleaning the air. They also act like giant sponges, soaking up rainwater, which can help reduce the risk of flooding – meaning fewer soggy gardens and parks. But the benefits for wildlife are huge. A single tree can provide food and shelter for hundreds of different creatures.

When you plant trees to create or strengthen hedgerows, you’re building safe corridors for animals. These green pathways allow birds, insects, and small mammals like hedgehogs to move safely between different green spaces, finding food and mates. It’s a bit like building them their own safe road network, away from traffic and danger.

This local giveaway is part of a much bigger picture. Wakefield Council is a partner in the White Rose Forest project, which in turn is part of the enormous Northern Forest initiative. The goal? To plant a mind-boggling 50 million trees across the north of England. Over the last four years, Wakefield residents have already planted 20,000 free trees, and the Council itself planted an extra 25,000 in the 2025 season alone. Every single tree planted gets the district one step closer to its goal of reaching net zero and becoming a healthier place for everyone. So, popping down to Thornes Park Nursery to pick up a free tree isn't just a nice Sunday morning activity – it’s being part of something massive.