As part of their drive to reduce the borough’s carbon footprint, Hounslow Council in London has pledged to plant 22,500 trees by 2026.

Now in its third consecutive year, the Hounslow Council ‘Free Trees‘ campaign is giving residents another opportunity to take home a potted fruit trees for free. 750 trees in total are available for this year’s giveaway, which includes 500 reserved for residents, 150 for community and faith groups, and 100 for schools. In 2022, the council distributed more than 900 trees to the Hounslow community as part its ambitious tree planting target.

According to the council, equipping residents of all ages with the knowledge to help shape a sustainable, cleaner, and greener borough is an important part of the borough’s climate action. Tree planting is an immensely rewarding activity which promotes health and wellbeing as well as pride and ownership within a community. The types of trees available in the scheme include; Jonagold Apple, Victoria Plum, Brown Turkey Fig, Conference Pear, Van Cherry.

The Council’s £5 million investment into parks and open spaces has been used to fund a range of projects, including the planting of trees, building of new infrastructure, and the creation of new green spaces.