Applications are now open for the 26/27 tree planting season.
Free Nut and Fruit Trees
Urban trees are great!
They improve air quality, capture harmful carbon, create flood resilience, create homes and food for wildlife and generally make our neighbourhoods nicer places to be. Urban nut and fruit trees also have the potential to provide some tasty food!
So, it is with good reason that a minimum level of urban tree canopy of 20% is recommended by tree experts and has been adopted as a target by Stirling Council.
Unfortunately, not all urban areas of Stirling enjoy the same level of tree benefits. Some areas have extremely low levels of urban tree canopy (Bannockburn 3%, Raploch 2%), whilst other areas have high levels (King’s Park 20%, Bridge of Allan 32%).
TreeLink Stirling’s Free Nut and Fruit Tree project aims to see trees planted in urban areas with low tree canopy by providing fruit or nut trees for residents to plant in their gardens. TreeLink Stirling has planted over 300 trees since the project started - if you would like one for your garden you can apply now!
Proudly sponsored by
Applications are now open
Who can apply?
You can apply for a tree if:
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You live in Bannockburn, Cornton, Hillpark or Raploch
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You have room for at least a small tree in your garden.
What trees are available?
There is a choice of apple, pear, plum, walnut and hazelnut.
Am I guaranteed to get the tree I want?
Trees will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Depending on demand you may not get the type of tree you choose, but we'll try our hardest to give you your first choice.
How big will my tree be?
Depending on which type of tree you chose, it will probably measure between 1.0 and 2.0 metres in height when you collect it. It will be 'bare rooted', meaning that it must be planted during the winter when it is dormant.
How will I get my tree?
Trees will be distributed from January to March - this is when they are dormant and happy to be moved. TreeLink Stirling volunteers will help plant your tree if you need some help.
How will TreeLink Stirling communicate?
Communication is initially by email - please check your spam if you don't here from us. We will be in touch again towards the end of the year with delivery and planting options.
You can contact us on freenutandfruittrees@treelinkstirling.org if you have any questions.
If you don't get an email please check you Junk folder.
Winner of the Scotland's Finest Woodland Winner of
Urban Trees Award
We are delighted to announce that TreeLink Stirling won the Urban Forestry Award for the Free Nut and Fruit Tree Project, presented to the charity on the 4th December at Scotland's Finest Woods Awards held at the Scottish Parliament.
Taken from Scotland's Finest Woods website:
"New for 2025 is the Urban Forestry Award and the Future Woodlands Scotland Trophy for Urban Forestry. It was won by TreeLink Stirling for their Free Nut and Fruit Trees project.
The aim is to “focus on the planting of urban trees, particularly in areas where trees are most needed”, which chimes with the ethos of the sponsors, Future Woodlands Scotland.
Selected neighbourhoods (Raploch and Bannockburn Community Council areas) which have very poor Tree Equity scores and very low levels of urban tree canopy were chosen. Residents were offered nut or fruit trees to plant in their gardens because trees that grow edible produce are popular and are likely to engender a long-term commitment to the welfare of the tree.
The trees – apple, plum, pear, walnut and hazelnut – were delivered to each recipient with the offer to plant them if requested.
The residents were delighted. One said: “I live in a block of four flats sharing a garden area. Having the tree makes me happy as it brightens up a space that other residents neglect.” Another added: “Our six children look after the tree and it’s so wonderful to have a tree in our garden.”
And the judges were impressed: “TreeLink is a great example of people with passion and energy using their knowledge to make a real difference to the place where they live. The project is getting trees in the ground, where they are most needed to deliver greatest benefit, but also seems to be bringing people together across a range of communities. We need a TreeLink in every town and city across Scotland!” "
Recipient Survey Responses
"It’s an exciting project for the family and our kids are interested in its growth. Walnut trees live for a long time and we like the thought that I could be an ancient, old tree one day."
"It makes me happy watching my tree growing leaf’s and it brings me joy when sitting In my garden thanks to team"
"I absolutely adore my tree, watching it going from sleeping when it arrived to being in full of life has been amazing!! I can’t believe how quickly it’s grown."
"We are really enjoying the tree as our autistic son loves apples so this tree is for him to watch grow into a lovely apple tree just for him."
"There is no way I could afford to buy trees so this one was a lovely gift."
"There are lots of lovely green leaves and also blossom on the tree as our garden has lots of bees 🐝. Can't wait to see if we will receive some fruit this year."
"The fact it was free, and came with everything I needed was just amazing, and I feel very grateful to you for supplying it. Thank you "
"A tree isn’t something I would’ve been able to afford myself - so it brings me happiness knowing there’s more diversity and fun stuff to explore for my child :)"
"The people who delivered my tree were very informative and I enjoyed checking the tree every day. It helps my mental health care."
"Such a lovely friendly group of people who took the time to share their expertise about trees suitable for family gardens."
"Excellent service and friendly people."
"I think it is wonderful, once I had my tree I was spreading the word."
Where did our trees go?
Raploch
Bannockburn
These maps show where our nut and fruit trees have been planted in resident’s gardens. It’s great to see that our project has resulted in lots of new trees in area of low urban tree canopy.
If you’d like more information on this project, please download our project summary document here.