WI Members Plant Trees!

All WI groups across Cornwall are being offered the chance to plant a tree in their community to celebrate the Cornwall Federation of Women's Institutes. In the last few years of this scheme almost 120 large trees were planted! To build on this success we continue to offer FREE trees and protection items for the forthcoming 2026-27 winter planting season.

The deadline for applications is 'open' until early Jan 2027. Initial deadline is Mon 2 November.

This project is being arranged as part of the Forest for Cornwall programme..

The Offer:

• One or two ‘standard’ trees (about 1.2m - 1.5m tall).
• Choose from: Alder, Crab Apple, Field maple, Hawthorn, Holly, Rowan, Whitebeam, Wild cherry. All trees will be UK Sourced and Grown.
• Protection items: Every tree will have stakes, ties, mulch mat. Request a wire mesh cage if you need additional protection.
• Initial delivery w/b Mon 16 November, for planting during National Tree Week (or can be arrange for later).

All trees should ideally be planted as part of the National Tree Week celebrations - Saturday 21st to Sunday 29 November 2026. The deadline for applications to ensure you receive your tree and tree protection in time for planting in NTW is Monday 2nd November 2026. Please note that if you are unable to plant during National Tree Week you are expected to care for the delivered tree and plant as soon as possible after that date.

Trees can be planted at your WI hall or in partnership with a community group, in a member's private front garden or other public space where you can easily have permission to plant. There should be good public access to it. You will be committing to water the tree for three years and to care for the tree for up to 15 years.

By planting a tree we hope to create a' community' of celebratory WI trees across the length and breadth of Cornwall. We are also hoping these trees will inspire groups and communities not already involved to plant trees and to spread the news about the Forest for Cornwall. We are planting across Cornwall, from woodland to gardens, parks, roadsides, hedges, schools, fields and hedgerows.

If individuals or your group have aspirations to plant more trees, hedges or woodland, there is lots of guidance and links to help you go about it on the Forest for Cornwall website, or Contact Us if you would like assistance.