Trees for Schools & Colleges

This season we have generous sponsors and donors giving support to tree planting projects in schools and colleges. Trees are offered free of charge to all schools and colleges.

Before you get started with your application, please read very carefully through the following guidelines and conditions below. They will help you to ensure that your tree planting is safe, appropriate and beneficial.

You need to agree:

• To take part in the Trees on the Land project entirely at your own risk.

• To ensure permission for planting has been given by the landowner.

• To accommodate and look after the trees permanently as part of the Trees on the Land project. We encourage you to actively manage and use the trees planted. This means that you can trim, thin, prune, coppice and harvest trees and fruit at appropriate stages of growth in line with sustainable management principles, so that there will always be continuous tree cover on the original planting areas.

• To plant the trees yourself with help from students, staff, volunteers or local contractors and ensure the trees are planted properly.

• To put up appropriate fencing and/or tree guards to protect trees from wild animals browsing, rubbing or trampling.  All tree planting areas must be clearly marked out and protected from mowers, toppers, hedge flails, strimmers.  Contractors must be notified of tree planting areas to avoid accidental damage.

  
  Appropriate Planting:

• Not to plant any area greater than 1/4 acre or 0.1Ha. This scheme is suitable for establishing small woodland and coppice areas, hedgerows, shelter belts, parkland, orchards, and many other kinds of tree cover. It is not intended for planting larger areas of woodland or forestry. If you wish to plant a larger area, please say so in your application and we will advise you on further steps needed.

• Not to plant on unenclosed land, moorland, wetland, heathland or bog. You must not plant on unimproved historic pasture or meadow that has never been ploughed or improved for agriculture. If your planting area is within any of the above, please say so in your application and we will advise you on further steps needed.

• Not to plant on land falling within an SAC, SPA, SSSI, NHA, area of known archaeology, or any other designated site. If your planting area is within any of the above, please say so in your application and we will advise you on further steps needed.

• To leave an unplanted buffer of 20 meters along the edges of ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, canals and other waterways. Trees can be planted in small numbers as individual scattered trees and small groups within this area as long as there is an even balance of light and shade over the water. If your planting area is within any of the above, please say so in your application and we will advise you on further steps needed.

• To keep back at least 20 metres from very old, ancient or veteran trees and not to plant under the canopy of or close to other mature trees. Disturbing the wide root area of old trees can cause irreparable damage. If your planting area has any of the above, please say so in your application and we will advise you on further steps needed.

  
  

  Safe Planting:

• To set back trees the required distance from overhead power lines and phone cables and not to plant directly beneath them. It is your responsibility to check relevant set backs for phone and power lines and especially higher voltage power lines with the ESB.

• To set back trees from underground pipes and cables - water pipes, gas supplies, electric cables, sewage and wastewater pipes and other drainage. It is your responsibility to check for underground pipes, cables and services and to set back appropriately.

• To avoid planting trees too close to buildings. Taller trees should be set back at least 20m and other smaller trees and hedgerows should be at least 5-10m away from buildings.

• To keep back 3 - 5 metres from small roads and tracks and 10 meters from main roads.

• To keep back at least 2 metres from fence lines, walls and other boundaries.

• To keep back 5 metres from hedges and ditches when planting woodland or coppice areas.

  
  Monitoring and Reporting:

• To send us photographs of the planted trees when they are in the ground so that we can keep accurate records and provide our sponsors and donors with proof of planting.  

• To give permission to share these photos with sponsors and donors who may wish to publish them on their own websites, social media and other general media. You may photograph just the trees if you prefer that faces and locations are not visible in the photos. 

• To stay in touch with us and report on your trees’ progress. We send out an annual online survey which is a simple way for you to update us on your trees and to let us know if you need help or advice on management. The Trees on the Land team may make occasional visits to see how your trees are settling in.  We will never visit without making an appointment.

  
  Further Notes:

• If you are making promotional materials, videos etc. or publishing information about your project on social media or print media we’re always grateful if you mention Trees on the Land - do please share the details with us. 

• Trees on the Land may need to postpone or cancel tree planting projects or adjust numbers of trees before or during the planting season. Please be aware that poor weather and other unforeseen issues can affect available tree numbers and distribution.

If you are unsure about any of the guidelines above, please email to info@treesontheland.com and we will be happy to help with your queries.

If you are happy with the guidelines and conditions above, please click on the button below to begin your application.