The Tree Council - Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund

Background

The Tree Council and Network Rail have been working in partnership for over five years to support community tree planting. Together, they have established 400,000 trees in more than 110 communities across the UK. This fund supports a new season of planting for the 2026/27 season.

Objectives of Fund

The fund aims to support well-planned tree planting projects that directly benefit people, communities, and wildlife. Key selection criteria include clear community benefit and involvement, improvements in biodiversity, and a strong establishment and aftercare plan.

Value Notes

Grants of between £2,500 and £10,000 are available per application.

Payments are made in two instalments:

• 70% released at project initiation, once the award letter is signed.
• 30% released after receipt of the required Project Completion Report and supporting documents.

Other project resources (such as contractor costs or volunteer welfare) can make up a maximum of 20% of the total project budget. VAT will only be paid if it is unrecoverable.

Who Can Apply

Applications are welcome from:

• Local authorities
• Charities and other NGOs
• Community groups
• Educational institutions
• Individual landowners

All applicants must hold public liability insurance for planting, have written permission to plant on the site(s), and hold a bank account (not a personal account) to receive grant payments.

Location

Projects must be in England, Scotland, or Wales. Planting must take place in publicly accessible, publicly visible, or community-used spaces.

Restrictions

Funding is not available for:

• Imported tree stock (except when unavoidable).
• Single species planting (unless in an appropriate setting with valid reason).
• Plastic tree guards, ties, or mulch mats derived from fossil fuels.
• Peat-based products or chemical weed control/herbicides.

The fund does not cover container-grown stock except in certain circumstances, non-native conifers unless in specific settings, or invasive and rapidly growing species like laurel or Leyland cypress.

Eligible Expenditure

The fund supports the following costs:

• Trees: Bare root, native trees of appropriate size (up to standard size, 8-10cm girth). UK-sourced and grown, preferably native species from local or community nurseries and/or Plant Healthy certified.
• Hedging: UK-sourced and grown, bare-root whips and cell grown stock (40-120cm height).
• Hedgerow trees: Trees planted in hedgerows allowed to develop to full size.
• Orchards: Fruit trees on semi-vigorous, vigorous, and very vigorous rootstocks.
• Establishment aids: Cardboard/bioplastic tree/hedge guards, non-plastic ties, stakes (coppiced material preferred), organic mulch or biodegradable mulch mats, non-peat based soil improvers, irrigation equipment (watering cans/irrigation aids), and PPE.
• Other project resources: Up to 20% of the total budget for contractor costs, volunteer welfare, etc.

A comprehensive establishment and aftercare plan is required, with a commitment to maintain the trees and site for a minimum of three years.

How To Apply

Applications are made via the online form on The Tree Council website.

Before applying, you must read:

• The Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund Application Guidance.
• The General Tree Planting Guidance.

You will need to prepare: maps and planting plans, a completed Project Budget Sheet (using the provided template), an overview of your project, photos of the site(s), details of your pre-site assessment and post-planting care plans, and evidence of permission to plant.

Key dates:

• Round 1 deadline: Midnight on Sunday 19 July 2026. A second round may open if funds remain, but this is not guaranteed. Apply early to avoid disappointment.
• Funding decisions announced: End of September 2026.
• All tree planting must be completed by: 1 March 2027.
• Project Completion Report due by: 31 March 2027.

For questions, contact the Grants Team at grants@treecouncil.org.uk.