Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund – United Kingdom

Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund – United Kingdom

Deadline: 31-Jul-2025

The Tree Council and Network Rail are once again working in partnership to support a new season of community tree planting.

Funding Information

• Grants of between £2,500 and £10,000 are available per application.

Eligible Costs

• Non-native varieties if appropriate to the setting, e.g. urban/park etc. Must be UK grown
• Non-native varieties and species which are chosen to take into account climate change adaptation and resilience. Must be UK grown
• Fruit trees on dwarfing rootstock, if the setting is appropriate (e.g. nursery/schools etc)
• Trees in containers or raised beds – they generally prefer to fund trees planted in the ground, but may consider container or raised bed planting if clearly justified and supported by a strong irrigation and aftercare plan

Ineligible Costs

• Container grown stock except in certain circumstances where selected species may not be available bare rooted, or it is the only supply available locally
• Imported stock, except when unavoidable
• Single species planting, unless in an appropriate setting and with a valid reason shown
• Invasive and rapidly growing species e.g. laurel, Leyland cypress, cherry laurel
• Non-native conifers unless in certain circumstances (e.g. urban areas, arboretum, with pollutant control being a key objective)

Eligibility Criteria

• To be considered for a grant from the Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund, a project must first meet all of the following core eligibility criteria:
  • Each project must:
    • Be in England, Scotland or Wales
    • Be not for profit
    • Plant in publicly accessible, publicly visible, or in community-used spaces to ensure broad benefit
  • Each applicant must:
    • Hold public liability insurance for planting
    • Have written permission to plant on the site(s)
    • Have a bank account (not a personal account) to receive grant payments
  • They welcome applications from:
    • Local authorities
    • Charities & other NGOs
    • Community groups
    • Education institutions
    • Individual landowners

Selection Criteria

• Key project criteria:
  • Clear community benefit and involvement, such as volunteering, education, or wellbeing initiatives
  • Improvements in biodiversity at the planting site
  • Clear understanding of site suitability for tree planting, based on site-specific considerations
  • Thoughtful tree selection following “right tree, right place” principles, supported by a detailed planting plan
  • Use of UK-sourced and grown trees, preferably native species from local or community nurseries and/or those that are Plant Healthy certified
  • Comprehensive establishment and aftercare plan, including a commitment to maintain the trees and site for a minimum of three years
  • Willingness to provide content for external communications purposes
  • Commitment to participate in monitoring and evaluation activities post planting
• Desirable project criteria:
  • Close proximity to the Network Rail network (lines or stations)
  • Contribution to climate resilience (e.g. riparian planting, sustainable drainage in urban areas)
  • Part of a wider initiative or partnership (e.g. environmental, social)
  • Youth involvement, including skills training or enterprise elements
  • Collaboration with a Tree Warden Network or other local community groups
  • Use of sustainable, recyclable, non-polluting, and low impact resources and materials for tree protection

For more information, visit The Tree Council.