An important annual fixture, garden centres and nurseries across the country will be holding numerous events to promote National Tree Week. Since 1973, National Tree Week has been the U.K.’s largest tree celebration, which is held to kick off the annual winter tree-planting season and encourage the public to plant tree, appreciate their beauty and understand the importance of trees in our environment and life.

As part of National Tree Week, various British city and borough councils hold tree planting and awareness events to spread the message and green up their surroundings. The Tree Council’s interactive map shows the various tree related activities being held across the UK during National Tree Week and beyond.

Planting the right trees can contribute significantly to the health of the ecosystem, providing food and shelter for wildlife, improving air quality, and enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of domestic and urban spaces. Trees planted in the autumn experience less stress and, even though crucial for their survival – they require relatively less watering and aftercare than trees planted in spring or summer.

Following the advice of Tony Kirkham MBE VMH (Former Head of Arboretum, Gardens & Horticulture Services at Kew Royal Botanic Gardens) to ensure their long term survival, tree planting should be more than simply the habitual process of selection and planting operation. Rather, by including good aftercare, until the young tree can fend for itself, the process is more focussed on the establishment of the right tree, in the right location.