Thousands of free tree saplings are being given away across Cornwall from next month as residents are encouraged to plant trees, increase nature in their communities and protect the environment.
The Forest for Cornwall team are behind the initiative which starts in October ahead of the approaching planting season.
More than 1.6 million trees have been planted for the Forest for Cornwall since the scheme was launched in 2019, making up around 1,000 hectares.
As part of the latest Back Garden Forest tree giveaways there are a choice of six native species to choose from. These are dogwood, hazel, rowan, crab apple, hawthorn and guelder-rose.
Each sapling will come with a leaflet with information on the tree species and how to care for it. Just bring a bag to take your sapling home in.
The locations and times are:
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Callington: Saturday 4th October 2025, 10am-12.30pm, Callington Honey Fair, PL17 7BE
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Torpoint: Thursday 30th October 2025, 2pm-4pm, Torpoint Library, PL11 2AG
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Helston: Saturday 1st November 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm, The Old Cattle Market, TR13 0SR
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Tintagel: Saturday 15th November 2025, 10.30am-12.30pm, Tintagel Visitor Centre, PL34 0AJ
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Newquay: Saturday 22nd November 2025, 10.30am-12.30pm, Newquay Football Club, TR7 2BU
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Camborne: Saturday 29th November 2025, 10am-12pm, Camborne Library, TR14 8HA
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Penzance: Saturday 17th January 2026, 10.30am-12.30pm, St Johns Hall, TR18 2QW
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Perranporth: Saturday 24th January 2026, 10.30am-12.30pm, Perranporth Library, TR6 0EP
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Bodmin: Saturday 31st January 2026, 10.30am-12.30pm, Shire House Suite, PL31 2DQ
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Redruth: Saturday 14th February 2026, 10.30am-12.30pm, Market Way and Redruth Library, TR15 2AU
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Truro: Saturday 21st February 2026, 10.30am-12.30pm, Truro Library, TR1 1EP
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St. Austell: Saturday 28th February 2026, 10.30am-12.30pm, St Austell Library, PL25 4LD
Cllr Loic Rich, Cornwall’s portfolio holder for environment and climate change, said:
“Tree-planting season is fast approaching and if you’re looking to grow a tree in your garden here’s your chance to pick up a free sapling and get it in the ground.
“Our Forest for Cornwall team can give you all the advice you need to make sure you’ve got the right type of tree for your garden and how to look after it.
“You’ll also be helping contribute to the Forest for Cornwall and a greener environment for one and all.”
The Back Garden Forest events at Newquay and Perranporth are sponsored by WAX Events and Aspect Holidays as part of the Love Where You Are initiative. Community equipment services Medequip are supporting the events at Torpoint, Bodmin and Redruth.
Story posted September 17, 2025