The Defra backed Trees Outside Woodland (TOW) Fund is now open for a second year, with more than double the support available for tree, hedgerow and orchard establishment projects in England.
Following huge demand in 2025, the Trees Outside Woodland Fund, a collaboration between national environmental charity, The Tree Council and Defra, opens today, offering grants of up to £40,000 for local authority and charity-led projects.
Supporting initiatives that boost biodiversity, improve air quality, reduce flood risk and create meaningful environmental enhancements for communities across England, the fund is specifically designed to encourage establishment of the trees we encounter most often in daily life – including those in parks, playgrounds and streets.
The Tree Council CEO, Sara Lom said: “In its 2025/26 launch year, The Tree Council was able to work with communities to plant 175,000 trees across 2,645 sites. These trees will bring shade for park visitors, help improve people’s mental health, and reduce the risks of flash flooding. They will create homes for birds, insects and small mammals and corridors for foraging bats and hedgehogs – and the orchards will provide nectar for pollinators as well as future fruit for residents.
“Equitable access to trees and green spaces is vital. It’s so important we bring more trees to the places where people live.”
For 2026/27, applications must show clear benefit to communities and, where possible, encourage participation; as well as demonstrating how plantings will enhance biodiversity at proposed sites. Successful applicants must meet the Biosecure Procurement Requirement, ensuring all newly planted trees are sourced from Plant Healthy certified nurseries or have a Ready to Plant assessment voucher.
A more streamlined, one stage application process has also been introduced.
Boosts access
Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:
“The Trees Outside Woodland Fund brings trees closer to people, boosting access to nature and the benefits that brings.
“Too many communities can’t easily access green spaces which is why we are investing over a billion pounds in tree planting and habitat restoration over the course of this Parliament. This money will make a real difference to people’s lives and help deliver our manifesto commitment to create three new national forests.”
2025’s cohort of funded projects tackled a wide range of environmental and social priorities. Heritage site, Avebury Manor Garden, in Wiltshire received support to become more climate-resilient following devastating flooding in 2024; In Lancashire and Doncaster, city- and region-wide programmes boosted canopy cover in some of England’s most tree-deficient neighbourhoods; in Worcestershire, culturally significant and ecologically rich traditional orchards were revived; and across the country pockets of land were transformed into a variety of valuable new treescapes.
In Doncaster, City of Doncaster Council and the Friends of Sandall Park came together to plant a range of tree species across the much-loved green space, in support of the Children’s Future Forest project.
Julia Foster, Trees and Woodland Development Officer at City of Doncaster Council said:
“Thanks to support from The Tree Council and Defra’s Trees Outside Woodland Fund, this project has transformed local sites into vibrant woodland areas, bringing high-quality tree planting directly into the urban spaces where people live.
“The funding has provided an immediate landscape impact, with the trees establishing well. We’re already receiving very positive feedback from local people.”
Alongside the TOW Fund, The Tree Council offers a range of other tree establishment grant options, including opportunities for projects in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Huge appetite
The Tree Council CEO, Sara Lom, welcomed Defra’s addition to the TOW Fund’s budget in 2026.
“The fund’s popularity last year showed the huge appetite for establishing new trees in communities and we would like to express our massive thanks to Defra for its increased support of the programme.
“Get your applications in as early as possible to avoid disappointment – together we can help share the physical, mental and environmental benefits that trees bring with even more neighbourhoods.”
The Trees Outside Woodland Fund is open to applications for grants of between £10,000 and £40,000 to support the purchase of trees, establishment aids, and other eligible project costs in England. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the fund will remain open from June to 31 October 2026, or until all funding has been allocated. Early applications are strongly encouraged. The Tree Council is hosting an online Q&A for organisations that meet the criteria, on 16 July 2026. To sign up, click here.
All grants are accompanied by expert advice and support from The Tree Council, from application, to planting, to ensuring that trees are able to establish successfully.
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