Our tree planting projects

Trees Outside Woodlands (TOW)

The Trees Outside Woodlands (TOW) programme was a £2.5M, three-year (2022-25) government-funded initiative delivered by The Tree Council, Natural England, DEFRA, and five local authorities, including Shropshire Council. Its aim was to increase tree cover to tackle climate and ecological challenges through innovative and sustainable approaches. Key components include agroforestry and orchard pilots, which encourage tree planting on farmland to boost biodiversity, soil health, productivity, and animal welfare. Agroforestry (essentially farming where trees are an integral part of the agricultural system) offers a way to balance tree planting with food production. So far, 27 farms in Shropshire have participated in these pilots.

The programme also explored how to establish community tree nurseries (five within Shropshire) to ensure a sustainable supply of healthy trees, distributed in part through Shropshire Council’s Community Tree Scheme that is run in conjunction with the Defra’s Trees Outside Woodland programme.

The ‘Targeted Trees’ scheme helped landowners plant trees to connect biodiversity hotspots, with priority given to areas historically marked as woodland or orchard.

Our interactive tree planting initiatives map shows the participating farms, nurseries, and community planting sites.

Related information:

• Agroforestry systems guide
• The Tree Council – Trees Outside Woodlands
• The Tree Council – Trees on farms

Coronation Living Heritage Fund (CLHF) - community orchards scheme in Shropshire

In 2023, we secured a £12,531 grant to create community orchards across Shropshire, giving councils, schools, housing associations, and local groups the chance to apply for fruit trees. This initiative helped restore traditional orchards - 90% of which have been lost since the 1950s - while supporting wildlife, reducing carbon emissions, and contributing to Shropshire’s net zero target by 2030. Community orchards transform underused green spaces, provide local training, cut food miles, and bring people together through events and education. The scheme resulted in the creation of 19 community orchards in Shropshire and contributed to a national effort to boost biodiversity and tackle climate change. Our interactive tree planting initiatives map shows their location. This achievement was made possible thanks to the Coronation Living Heritage Fund and Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund.

Tree planting opportunities heat map

Our tree planting opportunities heat map is an analysis tool that can be used to identify potential areas suitable for new tree planting.