Trees and nature conservation
From the ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest, to flocks of golden plover wintering on the wetlands of the Trent Valley, our district has a unique biodiversity.
The District Council helps to protect and promote our wildlife in many ways, from planting trees to managing local parks, gardens and nature reserves.
This page contains help and advice on planting trees and hedgerows.
Planting for the future
We’re currently undertaking an ambitious tree planting programme - and we need your help. By increasing the number of trees in the district we are making our communities more attractive, greener and healthier places to live and work.
Trees are vital in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. They help by:
- absorbing carbon dioxide
- improving air quality
- cooling the warming planet
- fighting flooding
- nurturing wildlife
- making landscapes more resilient
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) came into force on 12 February 2024.
This means that when putting in a planning application developers need to show how 10% BNG can be achieved on site, or off-site locations as close as possible to the development. As a last resort, this can be achieved via the statutory biodiversity credit scheme.
Trees for Climate
Trees for Climate is a woodland creation programme funded by DEFRA.
In Nottinghamshire the programme is delivered by Greenwood Community Forest. The District Council is now a partner in two new woodland creation projects together with Greenwood Community Forest that will see the planting of 114,000 trees. The new woodlands located in Little Carlton and close to Southwell will enhance habitat connectivity, increase residents’ access to green spaces, and link several local woodland pockets.
Are you a landowner, farmer or school with land suitable for planting trees?
The Trees for Climate programme offers flexible and competitive grants. It is versatile and can support schemes from 0.1ha (this equates to an area 10m x 100m) up to full woodland creation of several hectares. Trees for Climate can fund new hedgerows, low-density ‘parkland style’ planting, orchards and native mixed woodlands.
Please email Lynn.Preece@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk to find out more and register your interest.
The Greenwood Community Forest team can offer free support to design, plant and manage your new trees and woodland.
The scheme offers:
- visits by a woodland officer to your site to talk though your project and assess your land
- a friendly local team with years of tree-planting experience, who will help to keep the process as simple as possible
- funding available within the Newark and Sherwood district and across Nottinghamshire
- grants of up to 100% of the costs of tree-planting, including stakes, ties, tree shelters, mulch mats etc
- a funded, ongoing maintenance plan for up to 15 years to ensure success
Two free trees for residents
Applications for free trees will open again later in the year.
Residents will be given the opportunity to collect two free trees and download an information leaflet on how to plant and look after them.
Find out more about how to care for your free trees in our tree planting advice leaflet (PDF File, 434kb).
Free Trees from the Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust also offers packs of free trees for schools and community groups. They are currently taking applications for trees to be delivered in November 2025.
Orchards for Schools from the Tree Council
Orchards for Schools is a popular grant programme for UK schools that provides a free pack of fruit-bearing, wildlife-enhancing, carbon-storing orchard or fruiting hedgerow for your school.
The Sherwood Seed Bank
The Sherwood Seed Bank is a local community tree nursery based in Clipstone near to Sherwood Pines and it is managed by the Sherwood Forest Trust. You can volunteer at the tree nursery to help collect Sherwood acorns, nuts and seeds to sow and grow. Young trees are available for local groups and landowners to plant.
Free trees for parish councils, schools and community groups
Free tree packs are also available every spring for parish councils, schools and community groups. We choose trees with great wildlife value including hawthorn, blackthorn, grey willow, crab apple and rowan.
Check back for updates for the free tree giveaway for 2025.
Choosing and planting trees
It’s important to consider what you want from the trees you plant before you choose them. Planting is best done between November and March.
If you want your tree to be good for wildlife, native species are usually best. Trees which provide fruit and nuts are also good.
Find out more about choosing trees and gardening for wildlife on the RSPB website.
Not all trees will be happy in your grounds, so you'll need to look at what type of trees grow well in your area. What are your grounds like? If the soil is hard or dry, then maybe trees from hotter countries might feel more at home such as a cherry. Some trees such as willow and alder thrive in wetter areas.
Find out about native British trees for UK Gardens from the Woodland Trust.
Size and planting position is crucial and there is a tree for every situation including a planter on a patio, small garden, large garden, hedge or hillside. Small trees are usually cheaper than larger trees and take less time to establish
You also need to think about how tall and wide your tree will be when it's fully grown. Will the roots and branches damage any nearby buildings or paths? And think about whether falling leaves or fruit will cause an issue.
Find out more about choosing a tree in this video on the Royal Horticultural Society’s website.