Are you a landowner or manager, or representative of an area in the South Downs National Park that would benefit from more tree planting?
With more woodland than any other National Park in England or Wales, trees already form a vital part of our precious South Downs landscape.
However, pests and diseases like ash dieback and Dutch elm disease are growing concerns and threaten a significant number of trees nationally, including in the South Downs National Park.
Our original campaign smashed its original target of planting 100,000 trees by the middle of this decade – and now Trees for the Downs will be a major contributor towards the South Downs National Park’s ambitious goal of one million more by 2035.
The potential for planting trees in the region is huge – a major study three years ago found almost 23,000 hectares within the park is highly suitable for creating new woods. Our renewed focus will identify suitable sites for tree planting, including new woodland and hedgerow, as well as continue to support disease-resistant species. As ever, its important to plant the right tree in the right place.
Sign up to get involved!
Be part of the next one million trees in the South Downs by submitting your planting project request. Full details below.
What does Trees for the Downs fund?
The fund supplies trees and suitable protection for the young sapling, such as canes and guards, to sites within the South Downs National Park. It can also supply modest stretches of hedgerow trees and small numbers of fruiting species to enhance and diversity orchards. Check here: Do I live in the National Park? – South Downs National Park Authority The recipient is responsible for any necessary preparatory work such as site clearance or fencing, the planting and the ongoing care of the tree or hedgerow plants.
Who can submit an Expression of Interest?
You will need to be the person/organisation who owns or is responsible for the site, or apply with their permission.
What are the conditions?
Conditions will be applied to each tree supplied through a Memorandum of Understanding. Each landowner/tree recipient will be asked to confirm that they:
- Will cover the planting, ongoing care costs and take responsibility for the management and liability relating to the trees provided
- Will supply monitoring surveys about the survival rate and health of trees supplied for a minimum of 5 years.
- Will provide location details of planted trees on a map once planted. This information will be published online in order to monitor and promote the initiative.
How to submit an Expression of Interest
The fund is now open for you to submit your planting project for winter 2026/27. The deadline is 31 May 2026.
Please complete the form here.
As part of the submission you will be asked to send a basic marked up site plan to show where planting would take place. For hedgerow you will need to tell us the length of the area in metres.
If you have any difficulty accessing the form or have a question about the process please contact the Grants Officer 07471997344.
Need inspiration?
Watch this short film about the tree planting at Wild Heart Hill near Worthing in the South Downs. Connecting people to nature and encouraging them to protect – Connect to Protect
Trees for the Downs is possible with special thanks to our supporters:
- American Express Foundation
- Aspinal of London
- The Boltini Trust
- Boomtown Festival
- Chalk Cliff Trust
- Friends of the South Downs
- Higgidy
- Jude’s
- London to Brighton EV Rally
- Nyetimber
- OSB Group
- Our Founding Patrons
- South East Water
- Sykes Cottages
- Southern Co-op
- The many individuals who have donated
- University of Sussex
- Willmott Dixon
Can you help us?
How to Donate towards Trees for the Downs.