Garden Tree
Giveaway
Trees are brilliant for people, wildlife and our planet and we urgently need to plant more. That’s why each year ITF gives away free trees for your gardens.
During 2025’s Garden Tree Giveaway we gave away free trees at food banks, community larders and local events like Christmas lights switch-ons. We had hedge packs available for anyone with extra space who wanted to boost their local biodiversity. Plus over thousands of garden trees were given out to people who applied for a free tree.
The Garden Tree Giveaway is now finished for 2025, but with your support we hope to be back again next year. Check back for updates or subscribe to our newsletter to find out more in the future.
Sign up to hear more from International Tree Foundation
Learn how to plant and care for your tree
How to plant a tree
Your step by step guide to planting your tree
Tree calendar
A month-by-month guide to planting and caring for fruit and garden trees.
How does it work?
Apply
Applications for free garden trees will open in October. Complete the form and choose your tree and your local collection point.
Hear back
You’ll hear whether your application was successful in early November. Plus any more details on collecting your tree.
Collect
You’ll be able to collect your free tree from a local distributor during national tree week.
Support a greener Oxfordshire
We’re currently fundraising to make the Garden Tree Giveaway even bigger and better. Oxfordshire needs more trees. Can you can be part of the solution?
Help nature to thrive, donate today.
‘’I think what you’re doing is marvellous, we all need to plant more trees.’’
Garden Tree Recipient, East Oxford
Unsure which tree to choose?
Our handy guide can help you decide which tree would be best for your garden and needs.
FAQs
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All the trees we’re giving out are native UK trees. You can choose from:
• Spindle
• Wayfaring tree
• Guelder rose
• Crab apple
• Rowan, also known as mountain ash
• Hazel -
The trees are all native species and they will be in the form of ‘bare-root whips’ between 60-90 cm high.
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You can order up to two trees per household.
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Small gardens are generally suitable for one or two small trees, usually near the boundary. They provide a point of interest and dimension to a closed off space. But be careful not to plant your tree too close to yours or your neighbour’s houses.
Spindle, wayfaring tree and guelder rose are best for smaller gardens. -
A medium garden gives you more freedom in tree choice and lessens the impact of shade from any one tree. At this scale, you have the possibility of experimenting with a combination of trees, as well as planting larger trees.
Crab apple, rowan (mountain ash), and hazel are all great options for a medium garden. -
Larger gardens offer you the chance to plant a good mixture of trees. These trees can become very big in time and may live for hundreds of years, so planning ahead is crucial.
Crab apple, rowan (mountain ash), and hazel are all great options for a medium to large garden. -
The best time to plant a tree is between October and mid January (preferably before Christmas). As these trees are ‘bare roots’ they should be planted as soon as possible after receiving them.
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In most gardens, you won’t need to protect your tree.
But if your garden is open to the countryside, a spiral and a cane can help protect from rabbit damage. If deer or muntjac are regular visitors to your garden, you’ll need a 1.2m guard and stake to protect your tree. These are readily available to order online or through local tree nurseries.
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When you order your tree online, you’ll be able to choose a collection timeslot and location that suits you.
Trees will be ready for collection from our local distributors from 27th - 30th November.
Please keep a record of your confirmation email for when you collect your tree.
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If you have other question which haven’t been answered here, please email lucy@internationaltreefoundation.org.
With thanks to
