Time to get planting!

Town council’s free tree campaign now open for applications

FREE trees are up for grabs, thanks to a new tree planting campaign led by the town council.

Up to £1,000 is being spent on tree saplings that are being given away for free to local town council rate-paying residents, to plant in their private gardens. Residents are now being encouraged to register their interest online.

The town council says, “Melksham Town Council is seeking to play its part in fighting global warming, which is perhaps the greatest challenge we now face.  As part of this, the council would like to encourage residents to plant trees in their gardens, where space permits. Trees not only offer health, visual amenity and other benefits, but also capture atmospheric CO2 and help to tackle climate change.

“Melksham Town Council will supply, free of charge, a maximum of two pre-booked bare-root saplings per qualifying household.   There will be a finite number of trees available and applications will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis.  

“To qualify, the applicant must be over 18 years of age and live in Melksham town.  We ask residents to consider planting a tree in their front garden where space permits.

“Residents may select from a choice of tree varieties. The trees offered are small to medium sized, suitable for urban gardens.”  

Information about the trees available and a ‘tree guide’ to help residents select the species of tree most suitable to their property is available when reserving a tree. 

The council says, “You should plant trees away from buildings/permanent structures at a distance of at least the anticipated mature tree height.”

Applications will close on Friday 7th February at 10am or earlier if all trees are reserved beforehand. To reserve a tree visit: https://bit.ly/38kkH1j

Queries regarding the scheme should be directed to the Town Hall at town hall@melkshamtown.co.uk or on 01225 704 187.