The NHS Forest started planting trees in 2009 to highlight and enhance the often-underutilised green spaces surrounding NHS healthcare sites. Since then, the project has gone from strength to strength. Tree planting has helped us with our two key objectives for the NHS Forest: improving biodiversity and environmental sustainability and supporting sustainable healthcare and therapeutic environments.
Over the 13 years up to 2023 NHS Forest had planted approximately 105,000 trees on or near healthcare sites across the UK. In 2023 we were awarded a Nature for Climate Fund (NCF) grant by DEFRA supported by the Forestry Commission. As our tree planting efforts aligned with national goals for reforestation and climate adaptation, we were awarded this grant – alongside funding from the Trees Call to Action Fund (TCAF) – helping us to significantly expand our work.
Both funds, as well as tree sponsorship from individuals and organisations, have played a crucial role in upscaling the number of trees provided to NHS sites. The success of the NHS Forest’s initiative underscores the critical role of green spaces in healthcare settings. The established trees will enhance air quality, provide shade, mitigate urban heat effects and create habitats for wildlife. NHS Forest tree planting seeks to integrate nature into healthcare environments, recognising the positive impact of green spaces on health and wellbeing.
In last two seasons 52,974 trees were planted on or near NHS sites in the UK That’s the equivalent of 17.8 – 25.8 hectares of new native woodland, 1 hectare of new orchards, and 4.7 km of new hedgerows planted at NHS Forest’s recommended planting densities, and a remarkable 1/3 of the 158,796 trees planted since NHS Forest’s inception in 2009.
Funders include the Nature for Climate Fund, Trees Call to Action Fund and sponsorship Of the total trees planted 20,977 trees were delivered with NCF funding in 2023-24, with an additional 6,533 planted through TCAF and tree sponsorships. In 2024-25 a further 15,696 trees were supplied with NCF support, alongside 9,768 trees planted through TCAF and sponsorships
We are immensely grateful to the 248 sites who received trees from us over the past two seasons, and especially to the individuals from these sites who were instrumental in the planning, organisation and planting of tens or sometimes thousands of trees. Applicants have often gone out of their way to make these planting events go ahead, in addition to their already busy workloads!
We are very grateful for our funders, 52,974 trees represents a significant achievement for NHS Forest. Nature for Climate and Trees Call to Action funding has been crucial for allowing us to plant this number of trees over the last two years.
What’s next?
This extensive tree-planting initiative has helped NHS sites to create greener and more sustainable healthcare environments. Valuable lessons have been learnt from this project and we have been able to relay some key insights into the challenges of and barriers to planting on the NHS estate. This information will influence future planting campaigns on public land.
Going forward, tree planning will continue, albeit likely at a reduced rate. To help support our work, please share details of our tree and green space sponsorship programme.
The NHS Forest aims to continue advocating for increased green space integration within NHS estates, we are currently expanding our ranger programme and securing further partnerships and funding opportunities (watch this space!)
This example shows tree planting 15 years on and the difference you can make. Back in 2009 Tickhill Road Hospital was supported by the NHS Forest. We supplied 1200 trees which were planted adjacent to an ancient woodland in order to expand its cover.