Welsh households will be given a free tree to plant

Every household in Wales will be given a free tree to plant to help tackle climate change. 

Speaking at a visit to a Coed Cadw woodland creation project in Neath, the Deputy Minister for Climate Change confirmed that the Welsh Government has partnered with the Woodland Trust to deliver the campaign.

The first trees will be available to collect in March from one of five regional community hubs. The Welsh Government aims to set up a further 20 hubs by October 2022. 

Earlier this year, the government led a deep dive exercise into tree planting and timber, which identified a set of actions the government needed to take forward to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change.

Deputy Minister Lee Water said: ‘Trees are amazing – they save lives by keeping our air clean, they improve people’s physical and mental health, they are essential for tackling our nature emergency, improving biodiversity and, of course, in tackling climate change.

‘The deep dive made it clear to me that everyone will have a part to play if we are to be successful in tackling climate change and realising our ambitions to create a National Forest for Wales.

‘I am therefore pleased to announce we have partnered with the Woodland Trust to deliver a campaign that will provide every household in Wales an opportunity to plant a free tree in Wales.

‘This will enable people in Wales to further understand and experience the many benefits that trees can provide, not only to the environment but also to people’s health and wellbeing.’

The Deputy Minister also revealed that a consultation would launch early in 2022 on plans to create a National Forest for Wales.