Thank you to everyone that has applied for I Dig Trees 2020 – All our tree packs are now allocated and the programme is closed for 2020.
TCV
The community volunteering charity
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!
Add your email below to hear about the next round of free carbon-busting trees from OVO Energy and TCV
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.
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, wonderful volunteers and community groups coming together to make a difference…
"950 saplings have been planted at the CoFarm Cambridge site with help from volunteers … The species-rich hedgerow will act to boost biodiversity within the farm, as well as provide a natural windbreak and prevent soil erosion."
CoFarm
Cambridge, England
"We had our big plant up event Saturday for the Shepton Mallet food forest plot. I have attached some pictures of the very successful day. Over 120 members of the community of all ages came along to plant up and have a slice of cake. Thank you for the tree packs that made this day possible."
The Food Forest Project
Shepton Mallet, England
"680 young saplings planted in quick time by Llanrhaedr Community Woodland Group at the beginning of the month – all provided by the “I Dig Trees” initiative. Next year we will be planting some wildflowers on the bank to try to return a little glimpse of our much-depleted meadows."
Llanrhaedr Community Woodland
Powys, Wales
"We had a really great day teaching our volunteers how to plant a hedgerow, the importance of rich bio-diverse hedgerows and the key to identifying each of the different trees. It wouldn’t have been possible without the donation from The Conservation Volunteers and OVO Energy."
Whitlingham Country Park Volunteers
Norwich, England
"We had a fantastic turnout of around 100 volunteers from our community. All 1000 trees were planted, forming a small corpse, in just under 2 hours, a fantastic team effort. Thank you again for donating the trees, I'm sure they will prosper and create a peaceful place where people can go to reflect."
We are Halton
Leeds, England
"20 pupils and 8 parent volunteers planted around 100 trees. Despite cold and windy weather everyone was enthusiastic about our tree planting day! The Wildlife and Shrub pack helped to create new wildlife habitat, as part of our hedgehog conservation project... It’s a great way to encourage teamwork in school and the kids absolutely love getting stuck in."
Hedges for Hogs
Glasgow, Scotland
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.”
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
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)
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’.