I Dig Trees

Over 1 million trees. And growing.

Last year you smashed the target to plant over 1 million trees! This year we are going even bigger!

We are delighted to be running I Dig Trees for the sixth year during the 2020/2021 planting season with OVO Energy. This fantastic partnership programme goes from strength to strength and is a great opportunity for any community group or volunteer to join in, feel good and make a difference.

For climate. For wildlife. For communities – I Dig Trees!

If you are a community group and have any concerns about tree planting during Covid please refer to our TCV Working Safely During Covid Guidance

Please note: Free trees are only available in mainland UK, not Northern Ireland.

Get your FREE trees here

I Dig Trees ordered

OVO Energy members with carbon-cutting upgrades have pledged another 370,000 carbon-busting trees for local green spaces – the most trees pledged to date!

Trees. They’re not just nice to look at. These wooden wonders literally eat carbon out of the air, improving the air we breathe and enhancing our local green spaces for the benefit of people and wildlife alike – that’s why we looove them!

Our tree planting efforts couldn’t happen without the help of YOU our wonderful volunteers, coming together to make a difference…

The I Dig Trees social media toolkit

All the resources you’ll need to help us to spread the #IDigTrees word – The more we all shout and spread the word, the sooner those trees will be in the ground!

As the old proverb goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

Download the I Dig Trees toolkit

How to volunteer as an individual

Joining a local tree-planting group not only helps your local community but also supports the environment, improves your health and wellbeing and is a great way to meet new people.

TCV volunteering projects provide:

The guidance of a skilled and knowledgeable leader
All tools and safety equipment
Insurance whilst on site
Knowledge sharing regarding trees and the local environment
A place to meet people and make new friendships!

You need:

To complete a volunteer registration form when you arrive
Comfortable clothing including waterproofs (it will be autumn/winter after all)
The “join in, feel good” attitude!

How to nominate a community group

Are you part of a community group that would benefit from receiving FREE trees? Then we would love you to nominate them. We have 7,000 packs of 50 trees – a total of 370,000 FREE trees!

To nominate your group you will need to provide us with the following information:

The group name
Person responsible
Address
Email address
Where the trees will be planted
How will you make use of these trees?
Which packs and how many are required (maximum of 19 packs – 950 trees – per group).

We will:

Confirm the nomination with the group
Inform them of a delivery date
Support sustainable planting by sending our tree planting guide to encourage best practice and tree aftercare recommendations

Get your FREE trees here

Are there trees in my local area?

More than likely the answer is yes! The map below shows where our trees have been planted - But there’s always scope for more...

I Dig Trees - tree information

Our tree packs are predetermined with varieties that best suit a particular growing environment and all are recommended UK varieties. All packs come with the option (see below) of 50 x spiral guards (60cm x 50mm dia.) and supporting cane (90cm 12/14lbs) and packaged in forestry co-extruded bags.

Reducing and recycling plastic

All our trees are supplied with a plastic spiral guard, these are to protect the trees from rabbits and perhaps strimming or mowing after they have been planted. TCV and OVO Energy are committed to managing the amount of plastic we use and raising awareness of the importance of using less plastic.

Before placing your order, please consider: Do you need the spiral guards? Perhaps you are planting in a fenced or protected area. Perhaps you know you do not have a localised problem with rabbits. If you do not require spiral guards, or only a part order, please indicate this on your order form.

Pack 1. Parkland	10 x English Oak, 10 x Common Alder, 10 x Beech (common/green), 10 x Silver Birch and 10 x Hornbeam
Pack 2. Large Plot	10 x Downy Birch, 10 x Mountain Ash/Rowan, 10 x Aspen, 10 x Wild Cherry, and 10 x Field Maple
Pack 3. Small Plot	10 x Mountain Ash/Rowan, 10 x Bird Cherry, 10 x Hazel, 10 x Common Crab Apple and 10 x Grey Willow
Pack 4. Wildlife & Shrubs	10 x Blackthorn, 10 x Hawthorn, 10 x Common Dogwood, 10 x Goat Willow and 10 x Dog Rose (this pack contains some hedgerow varieties, but is not a pure hedgerow pack)

Whilst some species do vary a little from last season, all will be suitable for their pack location. These changes have had to be made simply because of availability.

(Please note, each order is limited to a maximum of 19 packs – 950 trees – in total)

Get your FREE trees here

Plant Companions

Be a Plant Companion for up to 3 years after you have planted your bare root plants.

Vital to the success of a planting scheme, Plant Companions stay connected by checking in on growth rates, and weeding, strimming or mowing around the base of their plants.

Once plants are established (typically from year 3 onwards), a Plant Companion completes this initial phase by removing the spiral protection for recycling.

Thanks to the original planting team in year 1 and the Plant Companions that help the scheme take root through years 2 and 3, it is at this stage plants can ‘go it alone’.