Tree giveaway

The tree giveaway is no longer open for applications. We hope to launch another scheme later this year.

Collecting your tree

If you have reserved a tree you will receive an email with a collection window, location, and date.

The collection will be at Kneller Gardens or Old Deer Park on either 25 January or 8 February 2025. Please try to attend at your allotted time.

Kneller Gardens collection point

The Kneller Gardens collection point is adjacent to the Meadway entrance.

View the Kneller Gardens collection point.

Old Deer Park collection point

The Old Deer Park collection point is at the rear of Pools on the Park.

View the Old Deer Park collection point.

Limited parking

There is no dedicated parking for these events, and public parking at and near the sites is limited.

At Old Deer Park, pay and display parking is available on both sides of the A316, but please note that you cannot drive to the pick up point. We encourage everyone to walk, cycle, or use public transport to reach the site.

Transporting your tree

Please bring a bag to protect your tree during transportation.

It is important to prevent the roots from drying out, particularly on bareroot trees. A plastic bag can help prevent moisture loss and stop the fine roots from drying out.

The Crab apple, Cherry Plum, Whitebeam, Rowan, and Silver Birch trees will be in a small pot and around 30cm tall.

The Field Maple, Cornelian Cherry Dogwood, Hawthorne, North American Redbud, and Four Stamen Tamarisk will be bareroot and around 40 to 100cm tall.

Planting guide

The tree should be planted as soon as possible. Select a suitable location that is a sufficient distance from built structures and considers any light or moisture constraints – these are identified in the tree guide below.

It is important to plant the tree at the correct depth, ensuring that the point where the roots meet the trunk is level with or slightly above the soil.

Consider whether the tree requires protection from wildlife that may nibble the bark, and whether the tree requires staking. Over staking trees will inhibit the development of the trunk, however if you want a straight stem, some training will be required.

Tree planting guidance is available from the Woodland Trust and The Royal Horticultural Society.

Establishment guide

Once your tree is in the ground, it will require care to ensure establishment. Regular watering in the growing season for the first three years is key, with more watering required during dry and hot spells in the summer months.

Weed the area around the tree to reduce competition, especially of annuals. Check and adjust stakes and ties, if used, and undertake any necessary pruning and training.

Find out how to care for your 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 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'.