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

We have the following species available:

• 50 Acer campestre
• 100 Betula pendula
• 100 Cercis canadensis
• 100 Cornus mas
• 100 Crataegus monogyna
• 100 Malus sylvestris
• 50 Parrotia persica
• 100 Prunus cerasifera
• 100 Sorbus aria
• 100 Sorbus aucuparia
• 100 Tamarix tetrandra

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.

Reserve your tree

Complete our short form to choose your tree. Read the tree guide on this page if you want to know about each tree.

Reserve a tree

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 9m height and 7m 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 10m 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 5m
• 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 5m 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 7m 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 7m 
• 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 8m 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 meters
• 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 meters 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 meters 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 4m 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.