Doncaster's Free Tree Giveaway

 

Our Free Tree Giveaway is due to launch in January 2026. You can sign up for notification here.

In 2024, City of Doncaster Council's Sustainability Unit, in partnership with the Woodland Trust, piloted Doncaster's Free Tree Giveaway. Within a few hours, all trees were reserved demonstrating our resident's commitment to a greener, cleaner city!

The Woodland Trust has donated over 20,000 trees in the past 2 tree planting seasons, Trees for Cities donated a further 4,000 trees in 2025, and now South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority is ordering 5,000 trees to be given away in 2026!

How it works

A giveaway is being held in each locality in wards with some of the city's lowest canopy cover (spread of mature trees). Giveaways are taking place 10am-2pm on Saturdays throughout January and February, with dates to be confirmed:

  • Stainforth Family Hub, DN7 5DH, Stainforth & Barnby Dun
  • Danum Gallery, Library and Museum, DN1 3BZ, Town
  • Bentley Park, DN5 0HU, Bentley
  • Rocket Field, S64 0LS, Mexborough
  • Cedar Road public open space, DN4 9ET, Balby South

You will need to reserve a ticket for free trees and/or hedgerows on a set date for collection. The link to reserve free trees will be shared as soon as venues are confirmed.

Once you have reserved your ticket for your free trees, an e-mail with further details on collection will be sent via e-mail shortly after. If you do not receive this after reserving your free tree, please contact sustainabilityteam@doncaster.gov.uk. 

The trees are dormant throughout the winter and so this is the best time for transporting and planting them. Once collected, we recommend you plant your tree as soon as possible and within 48 hours. 

Depending on availability, you will be able to choose available species and tailor it to the size of the area you are planting. For example, if planting in a small garden, you could choose a smaller tree such as rowan. If planting in an open field, you could choose a larger tree such as oak.

Types of trees

 All trees are native to the UK and are found in Doncaster.

Crab apple

A smaller tree that produces white blossoms that transform into small apples that can be made into jelly and jams.

Max height: 10m
Can be hedged: Yes

Dogwood

A smaller tree with creamy white flowers, with branches that turn a brilliant crimson in winter.

Max height: 10m
Can be hedged: Yes

Elder

A smaller tree whose berries can be used to make wine, flowers to make cordial, and branches to make instruments!

Max height: 15m
Can be hedged: No

Field maple

A larger tree that provides seasonal interest with five-lobed leaves that go from a shiny green to rich autumnal gold, with sap that can make syrup.

Max height: 20m
Can be hedged: Yes

Hawthorn

A smaller tree that heralds the changing seasons with pink and white blossom that often appear before all other trees'.

Max height: 8m
Can be hedged: Yes

Hazel

A smaller tree with trailing flowers called catkins, that produces nuts loved by humans and wildlife!

Max height: 12m
Can be hedged: Yes

Hornbeam

A larger tree that stays in leaf all year-round, making it a haven for wildlife and ideal for borders.

Max height: 25m
Can be hedged: Yes

Rowan

A smaller tree with bright red berries and brilliant white blossom, and thrives as a garden tree in urban settings.

Max height: 15m
Can be hedged: No

Silver birch

A larger tree with distinctive coloured bark and one of our fastest growing species.

Max height: 30m
Can be hedged: No

Hedgerow mix

A biodiverse mix of native species, mostly hawthorn, with crab apple, field maple, and hazel. Provided in 1 metre packs of 6 trees, and 2 metre packs of 12 trees.

Collection

We will request your name and postcode on arrival and a member of the team will fetch your tree(s). The tree stock is currently heeled in, meaning it has been temporarily planted to protect the health of the tree and root systems. Upon arrival, your tree(s) will be carefully removed, and placed in a compostable bag to prevent the roots drying out, along with a tree tube and cane. Please do be careful with your tree as sudden impacts and shocks to the roots may damage it and reduce the chance of survival.

The tree will be around 40-60cm tall and can easily fit in a bag for life, bicycle basket, or the footwell of a car.

The compostable bags are made of potato starch and have been chosen as they maintain structural integrity if damp (as the roots may be wet). The bags meet EN13432 composting standards and will compost at home within 300 days. 

Planting your tree

By claiming your free tree(s), you commit to planting them in a suitable location and caring for them after planting. When planting, ensure the trees are:

  • on land you own, or you have the landowner's permission
  • at least 5 metres away from buildings
  • at least 5 metres away from above and below ground utilities (e.g. water pipes, power lines) which you can check here: https://lsbud.co.uk/
  • planted within 2 days of collection

A planting and aftercare guidance booklet by the Woodland Trust can be found here: It's time to plant | PDF to Flipbook (heyzine.com)

Why we do it

Everyone in Doncaster should have access to green spaces and the natural environment, and they should have the opportunity to enhance existing spaces. Planting trees is great for cleaning air and water, mitigating floods, fighting climate change, supporting wildlife, and to make our outdoor spaces nicer places to be. 

Other Free Tree Schemes

The following schemes are not available to all people but are worthwhile drawing attention to if suitable for your situation: