Community groups, schools and parish councils in County Durham are being invited to apply for up to £150 to plant up as part of National Tree Week.
The UK’s largest annual tree celebration, which marks the start of the winter tree planting season, this year runs from November 28 to December 6.
Cllr Eddie Tomlinson, Durham County Council portfolio holder for assets, strategic housing and rural issues, said: “The Tree Council organised the first National Tree Week in 1975 and now up to a million trees are planted nationally each year as a result of this campaign.
“Durham County Council has taken part since 1979, encouraging people to plant trees and raise awareness of the importance of properly caring for and maintaining them. Tree Week grants have proven a great success in previous years and the money available this year is a great opportunity for the people of County Durham to enhance their local landscape.”
Funding for up to 100% of a well-planned planting project, up to a maximum of £150, is available to parish councils, community groups and schools that wish to take part in National Tree Week. Grants of up to £150 are also available for individuals or organisations to plant individual large open-grown trees, hedgerow trees and field corners of up to 50 square metres.
To be eligible a scheme must not be in a private garden or within the curtilage of a residential property.
Anyone who wants to apply for a grant should contact Durham County Council’s landscape and arboriculture team by calling 03000 267 133 or emailing treeofficers@durham.gov.uk
The deadline for applications is Friday 13 November 2015, however early bids are encouraged as grants are allocated on a first come, first served basis.