Tree giveaway

Would you like to help make Richmond greener? Could you grow a tree in your garden?

We have trees to give away that can produce edible fruit, provide seasonal interest, attract and feed pollinators and birds, and much more.

How the giveaway works

There are a few things you need to know about the tree giveaway. 

What you need to plant a tree

You will need a garden or piece of land that you own or have permission to plant on.

Available trees

These species have been selected because of their environmental benefits as natives or as exotics that provide resilience to climate change. They have also been selected as they are small to mid-size maturity and provide some visual or fruiting interest. There are further details of in our tree guide.

The following species are available:

• 0 Acer campestre - Out of stock
• 0 Betula pendula - Out of stock
• 0 Cercis canadensis - Out of stock
• 0 Cornus mas - Out of stock
• 50 Crataegus monogyna
• 0 Malus sylvestris - Out of stock
• 0 Parrotia persica - Out of stock
• 0 Prunus cerasifera - Out of stock
• 60 Sorbus aria
• 50 Sorbus aucuparia
• 0 Tamarix tetrandra - Out of stock

Trees will be allocated on a first come first served basis. We will contact you if your choice is unavailable.

Collecting your tree

Once you have reserved a tree, you will then be able to collect it from Kneller Gardens on Saturday 25 January or Old Deer Park on Saturday 8 February 2025, between 10am and 2pm.

Reserve your tree

Complete our short form to choose your tree.

Reserve a tree

Contact Customer Services on 020 8891 1411 if you need help using this form.

If you're part of a school, community group, or business and would like to reserve a larger numbers of trees, you should also contact Customer Services.

Tree guide

In general all the trees are tolerant of a range of weather conditions, unless stated otherwise.

Acer campestre – Field maple

An important British native for wildlife providing food for insects and birds. This is a robust tree that will grow a medium size canopy. Moderately tolerant of shade and drought.

• Size: Medium – expected to reach 9 metres height and 7 metres spread in 25 years
• Points of interest: Autumn colour, corky bark, wildlife

You can read more about Acer campestre.

Betula pendula – Silver birch

A British native associated with renewal and purification, with a light, open crown and important ecological role. Good at intercepting harmful dusts and particulates.

• Size: Medium – expected to reach 10 metres after 25 years
• Points of interest: Striking bark, attractive pendulous habit
• Cautions: Large volumes of pollen are released high allergenicity potential. Shade and drought intolerant

You can read more about Betula pendula.

Cercis canadensis – North American redbud

Highly ornamental relative of the Judas Tree, with unusual flowers attached to the stems, vibrant heart shaped leaves, and crimson autumn colours. Moderately shade tolerant.

• Size: Small – expected to reach a height and spread of 5 metres
• Points of interest: Late Spring flowering, stunning autumn display

You can read more about Cercis canadensis. 

Cornus mas – Cornelian cherry dogwood

Native to southwestern Europe and west Asia with a long window of interest and edible fruits. Suitable for shady locations.

• Size: Small – up to 5 metres height
• Points of interest: Early spring flowering, colourful edible fruits, reddish-purple autumn colours

You can read more about Cornus mas.

Crataegus monogyna - Hawthorne

A highly attractive British native with deep roots in folklore in the UK and Europe.

Stunning floral display in late spring, hence the alternative name Mayflower. Excellent for wildlife. Drought tolerant.

• Size: Small – typically 5 to 7 metres at maturity 
• Points of interest: Insect pollinated. Attractive flowers, characterful form, attractive fruits in late autumn

You can read more about Crataegus monogyna.

Malus sylvestris – Crab apple

A highly attractive British native, and important contributor to the domestic apple genome. Crab apple was spread by grazing apples and wild crab apple is now rare. Folklore associations with fertility, love, and marriage.

• Size: Small – up to 7 metres
• Points of interest: Highly ornamental late spring flowers, excellent for pollinating insects, attractive fruits provide food for birds and foragers

You can read more about Malus sylvestris.

Parrotia persica – Persian ironwood

An excellent tree for autumn colour with deep reds, purples, and golds, and attractive flaking bark. A slow growing tree that is moderately tolerant of shade.

• Size: Medium – not expected to exceed 8 metres in cultivation and slow growing
• Points of interest: Attractive flaking bark with greys, red-brown, and turquoise. Very attractive autumn display. Inconspicuous flowering, late winter

You can read more about Parrotia persica.

Prunus cerasifera – Cherry plum

This ancestor of the domestic plum provides interest and a source of food for pollinators early in the year. The fruits are edible and a food source for birds and other foragers, and the tree makes a good root stock for the domestic plum

• Size: Small – up to 8 metres
• Points of interest: Attractive early spring blossom, drought tolerant, good for insect pollinators
• Caution: Unsuitable for compacted or waterlogged soils

You can read more about Prunus cerasifera.

Sorbus aucuparia – Rowan

Protect your family from witches and other evils with this British native. These trees struggle in the street scene, and garden plantings may provide more favourable conditions for this important tree in the borough.

• Size: Small to medium, typically reaching 8 to 15 metres height in maturity
• Points of interest: Highly ornamental clusters of flowers in late spring, feather like leaves with good autumn colour, and attractive berry clusters in late summer that are attractive to birds and foragers. Excellent for insect pollinators
• Caution: Unsuitable for compacted or waterlogged soils

You can read more about Sorbus aucuparia.

Sorbus aria – Whitebeam

Native to the southeast of the UK, this species thrives on the well drained soils typical of the borough. The tree supports insect pollinators with showy flowers in late spring, and birds and foragers with berries in late summer. Drought tolerant.

• Size: Medium – typically up to 15 metres tall in maturity 
• Points of interest: White hairs on the underside of the leaves give this trees a distinct and characterful appearance, highly attractive clusters of flowers in late spring, attractive red berries in late summer
• Caution: Unsuitable for compacted or waterlogged soils

You can read more about Sorbus aria.

Tamarix tetranda – Four-stamen Tamarisk

A small deciduous broadleaf with unusual vivid green scaly foliage from the coastal Mediterranean and evocative of the region.

• Size: Small – up to 4 metres with a shrubby form 
• Points of interest: Attractive plumes of pink flowers in late spring, unusual scaly leaves. Drought tolerant
• Caution: Requires full sun

You can read more about Tamarix tetranda.

Tree planting strategy survey

We are currently developing a tree planting strategy to support our Richmond Corporate Plan and Climate Emergency Strategy.

Complete the online consultation to share your views on local tree planting by 23 January 2025.

Request a paper copy or alternative formats by contacting treesandparks@richmond.gov.uk or calling 020 8891 1411 and quoting 'Richmond Council Tree Planting Strategy Survey'.