THE Tree Council's Branching Out Fund is now open for applications from community groups, schools and small registered charities, who are seeking to establish trees, hedgerows and orchards.

Branching Out supports grant applications range from £250 to £2,500 with specific criteria for those under £500, and those above £500.

Applicants will find everything here that they need to know, from the types of trees that qualify from the website treecouncil.org.uk.

A new hedge will support a lot of wildlife and capture pollutants while conserving soil or storing carbon.

Applications are due by Sunday, December 1, and those which are successful will be notified within six weeks.

Grants are paid after planting, and all projects must have planted and submitted a claim form before midnight on Sunday, March 16, 2025.