General Questions
Can I donate my own trees to the Arium to be planted?
Whilst it's really exciting that members of the public are planting their own trees, we unfortunately cannot accept tree donations to The Arium. This is to reduce the spread of disease - if we're unsure of where the trees come from, we can't ensure they are disease free. However, please do continue to plant trees in your own gardens if you have space, or if you are going to plant them elsewhere - make sure you have the landowner's permission!
Tree Planting Questions
When will tree planting take place?
Ground preparation starts in September, and runs through to October. Tree planting starts the following month, from November to February. If you are looking to volunteer with us, that's when you can expect to be grabbing a spade and planting woodlands!
Why is planting taking place in some areas of parks over others?
We have a rigorous process for identifying appropriate land for planting. This includes checking for services that could be negatively impacted by tree growth e.g. underground pipes. We also try to incorporate publicly used areas into our planting plans, for example leaving space where sledging may frequently take place in the winter.
My school is interested in planting trees on their grounds, is this something you can help with?
We love for schools to get involved in our project as much as possible. The Parks and Countryside Rangers run opportunities for schools to be involved in seed collection and tree planting. To further engage children with the importance of woodland creation, schools can be provided with an education pack, complete with activities to understand the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss. We are also promoting our Trees for Schools programme, where all schools are entitled to free trees every year. Please email woodlandcreation@leeds.gov.uk for more information.
Some of the mature trees near my house need some TLC, is this something you can help with?
Our team only looks after the new trees and woodlands that we plant. We have our own management plans for these and are very happy to come and look at any issues with new plantations. However, any questions or concerns regarding existing mature trees should be sent to tree.enquiries@leeds.gov.uk where the Forestry team will pick them up.
Can't find the answer you were looking for?
Please contact us at woodlandcreation@leeds.gov.uk, and a member of our team will respond to you as soon as possible.
