We want to work with local landowners to plant more trees in the borough. We have limited space on council land, but working with local landowners will help increase woodland.

Planting trees helps tackle climate change and brings lots of benefits like:

• more wildlife
• cleaner air
• reduced flooding and erosion
• cooler temperatures
• better water retention
• improved well-being

Our focus is on planting the right trees in the right place. We usually provide small native trees (“whips” or “bare roots”), which are hardy and have high survival rates.

Suitable land

We welcome proposals for many types of land, including:

• low yield or diverse farmland
• field edges and spaces along fences or paths
• wildlife sites, hedgerows, and conservation areas
• disused or open land
• nature reserves or existing woodland (where it won’t disturb habitats)
• golf courses, hospital grounds, industrial estates
• shops/office car parks, playing fields, development sites
• green belt land or areas at flood risk

Eligibility

We will prioritise:

• planting of young trees on a large piece of land
• commitment to tree care and long-term maintenance
• safe planting where there is public access
• projects that can match fund council contributions
• sites without major obstacles like buildings or concrete
• larger sites (1 acre / 0.5 ha+), though smaller sites may still qualify

Applications

We base our decisions on:

• how much land is available and its suitability
• benefits such as flood prevention, habitat enhancement, and biodiversity corridors
• cost effectiveness and carbon benefits
• landownership and permissions
• public safety and long-term survival of the trees

Successful applications

If your application is accepted, you will get trees free of charge. You will be responsible for:

• planting the trees
• caring for the trees
• maintaining the trees
• keeping the trees in place for 30 years

Guidance on planting is available on the Gardeners' World website.

Unsuccessful applications

If you are not successful, you could look at:

• the Woodland Trust MOREwoods or MOREhedges projects
• the government’s Woodland Carbon Guarantee scheme

Apply

You will need to tell us:

• what you are proposing
• about your land and what it is used for
• how many trees are needed
• what funding you have for the project

Submit your application

If you have any questions, email climateandbiodiversity@maidstone.gov.uk

What happens next

Applications will be selected in time for our tree planting season between November and February. If you send your proposal in or after this period, it will be looked at next season.