First-of-its-kind study reveals behind-the-scenes volunteers help grow 250,000 trees a year for their local communities - The Tree Council

A quietly growing movement has been transforming landscapes and communities across Britain.

The UK’s Community Tree Nurseries (CTNs) are producing around 250,000 mostly native trees each year and could be scaled up with additional funding and support, according to the first baseline study of active CTNs. Many are broadleaf species from seed collected within 20 miles of their nursery site.

Largely run by volunteers, CTNs bring people together to grow, plant, and care for trees, while also nurturing stronger relationships with nature and building community spirit.

Research released as part of the Trees Outside Woodland project, a partnership led by The Tree Council, Defra, and Natural England, maps a diverse network of approximately 80 CTNs across the UK and highlights the social and ecological impact of these often-overlooked initiatives. CTNs are typically small in scale and relatively new with most established for less than five years. The research, conducted in collaboration with Forest Research, suggests that volunteers act as a network of local seed collectors growing 71 different tree species, including some rarer and vulnerable species such as Black Poplar and Wych Elm.

Jackie Shallcross who led on the Trees Outside Woodland project at The Tree Council said: “The benefits of community tree nurseries can’t be overstated. There are so many aspects which are beneficial, both for the environment and for the people involved. They aren’t just boosting tree planting efforts in their area, they’re also helping people to connect to nature while developing skills”. Importantly, CTNs are not just contributing to national tree-planting goals, they are also building social capital. By offering inclusive spaces for community participation, they provide people with a tangible way to respond to the climate and nature crises.”