Celebrating National Tree Week in Hampshire

This November, as National Tree Week returns, Hampshire is once again championing the power of trees to transform our landscapes, support local wildlife, and tackle the climate crisis. Organised by The Tree Council, this annual celebration marks the start of the winter planting season and there’s no better time to get involved locally.

Why are trees so important?

Trees are more than just beautiful features of our countryside, they also play a vital role in carbon sequestration, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. For this reason, large forests such as the Amazon rainforest, are often called the ‘lungs of the world’. Trees also support a wide range of wildlife. A mature oak tree, for example, can support over 2,300 species from fungi and insects to birds and mammals, making it a honeypot of biodiversity. Trees improve soil health, reduce flood risk by intercepting rainfall and slowing water flow across land and waterways, and help cool urban areas by providing shade.

How you can get involved

In Hampshire, the Hampshire Forest Partnership is leading the way to increase tree cover across the county with the goal of planting one million trees across the county by 2050. Whether you’re a landowner, community group, school, or parish council, you can apply for free trees to support your own green projects and contribute to the Hampshire Million Trees challenge. These trees will enhance green corridors and create stepping stones for wildlife. Free trees and hedges are available for both rural and urban settings, ensuring long-term ecological benefits across the landscape.

You can now apply for funding to plant disease-resistant elm trees across Hampshire! These specially bred elms can withstand Dutch elm disease, helping restore a vital native species and support biodiversity. Wildlife like the white-letter hairstreak butterfly, which depends on mature elms, will benefit directly. Whether you're a school, community group, farmer, or landowner, this is a chance to contribute to a greener future. You can also apply for elms to replace trees affected by diseases like ash dieback, especially along hedgerows in the wider countryside where many ash trees have succumbed to the disease.

By choosing resilient native trees such as oak, hazel, and crab apple also support hundreds of species, strengthening local ecosystems. Facing climate change and biodiversity loss, every tree planted matters.

Add the trees you plant to our tree tracker

If you’ve planted any trees this year or are planning to this winter, make sure you add your trees to the Hampshire Tree Tracker. Our interactive map showcases tree planting efforts across the county from individuals, community groups, to schools, councils and farmers. Every tree counts, and every tree planted helps grow a greener, more connected Hampshire.

Sites like Fareham Mini Forest and Frogmore Community Campus Orchard are already showcasing successful planting schemes, with volunteers and local groups making a lasting impact. By planting trees now, we’re investing in a greener, healthier Hampshire for generations to come.

Watch our video on mini forests to learn more.

More ways to get planting

This National Tree Week, there are plenty of ways you can take action and support a greener Hampshire:

• Apply for a Hampshire Forest Partnership for trees to create your tree planting project, whether you're a school, community group, or landowner. Use our eligibility checker to find out if you’re eligible for our free trees and hedges today.
• Join a local tree planting event or volunteer day to make a hands-on impact.
• Add the trees you’ve planted to the Hampshire Tree Tracker
• Share your planting stories and photos on social media using #HampshireMillionTrees to inspire others. And don’t forget to encourage schools and youth groups to get involved in planting activities.

Every tree planted is a step toward a more resilient, biodiverse Hampshire. Let’s make this National Tree Week count.

Planting your first tree this November? Read our beginner’s tree planting guide. Follow us on  Facebook  and  Instagram  to see how we’re looking after nature in Hampshire, and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with what’s going on in the countryside.