Plant a tree

Planting a tree in your garden or in your local community can make a big difference for wildlife. Trees provide homes, food, shelter and shade for wildlife.

Why are trees important?

Only around 8% of the plants found in UK gardens are trees. But trees are vital for our gardens to thrive, through:

• Providing food and shelter for a wide range of wildlife in the form of flowers, berries, leaves and woody matter, as well as serving as a structure for nesting.
• Mitigating climate change effects by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, reducing air pollution and preserving water sources.
• Producing springtime blossom to provide pollen and nectar for pollinating insect species.

How to plant a tree

Here’s how to plant a tree:

1. Dig a hole three times as wide as the root ball and the same depth. Loosen the soil around the hole and soak the root ball.
2. Refill the hole, checking that there are no air pockets. Make sure the soil around the tree is firm and the tree trunk stays upright.
3. Loosen the root ball slightly, and place it in the hole so the point where the roots join the trunk is level with the ground.
4. Add a tree guard if it’s at risk from animals and, if the tree is top heavy, support it with a stake. Water well and add a layer of mulch.

Where to buy trees

Trees are widely available from garden centres and nurseries. You can also order them online but make sure that you order UK grown plants to reduce the risk of introducing pests, as well as minimising your carbon footprint. We recommend purchasing trees from the Woodland Trust shop.

What tree species to plant

Take a look at some of the common trees that you can plant in your garden to provide food and shelter for wildlife.

How to maintain your trees

Occasionally trees and shrubs require pruning to restrict their size or to promote fruiting. Further advice on tree pruning and hedge trimming can all be found on the RHS website.