Hampshire Forest Partnership

24/10/2026

🌳 Help bring one of Britain’s rarest native trees back to Hampshire! 🌳

Did you know that the native black poplar is one of Britain’s rarest trees? Once a familiar sight in our countryside, particularly alongside rivers, streams and on floodplains, it has become increasingly scarce.

But here’s an opportunity to help change that! 💚

This winter, Hampshire Forest Partnership is offering native black poplar trees through our tree planting grant programme – and there’s something particularly special about this offer.

🌳 We have both male and female trees available!

Black poplars need both male and female trees growing within pollination distance of one another to produce viable seeds naturally. Unfortunately, female trees are particularly rare, making natural regeneration increasingly difficult.

By planting both sexes in suitable locations, we can do more than simply increase the number of black poplars. We can help give this remarkable species a chance to reproduce naturally and reclaim its place in our countryside.

🌱 Could you help us bring black poplar back to Hampshire?

If you have land suitable for planting, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can help restore a rare part of Hampshire’s natural heritage for future generations.

📩 Find out more about our winter tree planting grants and how to apply: [email protected]

11/10/2026

Together, we’re bringing elm back to Hampshire.

Over 5,000 disease-resistant elm trees have now been planted across Hampshire. But this isn’t just our achievement. It belongs to the hundreds of people who have helped make it happen.

From individuals and families to schools, community groups, farmers and landowners, people across the county have played their part.

Between us all, we’re helping to restore a tree that was once such a familiar part of Hampshire’s landscape — and giving future generations the chance to enjoy it again.

29/09/2026

Thinking of planting a hedge this winter? 🌿

Winter is a great time to get a new hedge established — and choosing the right plants can make a huge difference for wildlife.

If you can, aim to plant before Christmas, while plants are dormant and the soil is still workable. Choose a mixed native hedge with species such as hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, dog rose, holly, spindle or guelder rose. A varied hedge can provide flowers for pollinators, berries for birds, shelter and nesting habitat, and a valuable wildlife corridor through your garden.

And if you’re deciding between a hedge or a fence, a hedge is often the better option for nature because it allows wildlife to move more freely between gardens.

If you do need a fence, you can still make it wildlife-friendly: leave a small hedgehog highway opening at ground level — around 13cm x 13cm — and, where possible, plant a hedge in front of the fence to provide extra cover, food and habitat.

🌳 This winter, choose a hedge that works for you and for wildlife.

17/08/2026

🌱 This summer, every watering visit makes a difference.

Successful tree planting doesn't end when the right tree is planted in the right place. Young trees need extra support to establish strong roots and thrive in hotter, drier summers.

By watering and caring for trees during their first few years, you're helping them build the resilience needed to withstand future droughts and climate extremes. The care we give today will help shape healthier, stronger trees for Hampshire tomorrow.

💚🌳 Caring now builds resilience.

04/07/2026

🌳 Want to plant trees in Hampshire this winter? We can help! 🌳

Whether you're planting hedgerows and trees, creating a community orchard, or restoring wildlife habitats the Hampshire Forest Partnership has funding available to help bring your plans to life.

This year we're offering support through:
🍃 Linking Leaves – community-led planting in public or shared spaces
🚜 Shoots Along the Routes – for farmers and landowners
🍎 Community Orchards – bring communities together to grow local fruit
🦋 Disease Resistant Elms – supporting the recovery of the iconic elm and the white-letter hairstreak butterfly
🌳 Black Poplars – helping conserve one of Britain's rarest native trees along riverways

If you're planning a project this planting season, now is the time to get started.
✅ Ready to apply? Complete an application form today 🔗https://forms.office.com/e/Qn1qUBQFiA
❓ Not sure if your project qualifies? Complete our quick eligibility check and we'll guide you to the most appropriate fund: 🔗https://forms.office.com/e/4XJuhWbYvw

Together we can create greener spaces, support wildlife and grow Hampshire's treescape for future generations.

30/06/2026

🌿👀 Do you know what’s living and growing in the trees around you?

Trees aren’t just part of the landscape - they’re like nature’s high-rise buildings, packed with life from the roots to canopy 🌳🏢
A single oak tree can support over 2,300 species of birds, insects, fungi and more, making it one of the richest habitats in the UK.

During Nature Discovery Week, why not take a closer at the trees on your doorstep? From spotting insects in the leaves 🐞 to discovering who’s living on the branches, it’s a chance for young people to connect with nature and see just how important trees are for wildlife in Hampshire 💚

Through the National Education Nature Park, children and young people can explore, record, and help protect the natural world - becoming the next generation of tree champions 🌱

👉 Find out how to take part:
https://www.educationnaturepark.org.uk/nature-discovery-week-26

What's living and growing on your school grounds? Nature Discovery Week (Monday 29 June - Friday 3 July 2026) is the perfect opportunity to find out together!Head outside with your class and explore with one or more of the National Education Nature Park's nature surveys. Count pollinators, record gr...

22/06/2026

🌳 Save a tree this summer 🌳

With the hot, dry summer set to continue, newly planted trees across Hampshire need a little extra help to survive – and you can make a real difference 🦸‍♀️

If you have a tree outside your home, or one you pass regularly, please consider giving it a drink. Just a small act can help young trees establish and thrive for years to come.

💧 Trees need around 50 litres of water each week during hot weather in their first three years
⏱️ Water early in the morning or in the evening to reduce evaporation
🌳 Pour water slowly at the base, and into any watering pipe or bag if present

Together, we can help Hampshire’s trees survive the summer and grow into the forests of the future 🌱

👉Find out more:
www.hants.gov.uk/landplanningandenvironment/hampshireforestpartnership

16/06/2026

🌳💚 Give a gift that grows this Father’s Day 💚🌳

Looking to give your dad something a little different this year? Celebrate Father’s Day by sponsoring a tree in his honour and help grow a greener Hampshire 💚

By supporting the Hampshire Million Tree Challenge, your gift will make a lasting impact - creating wildlife habitats, improving air quality, and leaving a legacy for generations to come.

🎁 A meaningful gift - you'll receive a certificate you can print out
🌍 A positive impact in Hampshire
🌳 A tree that lasts a lifetime

👉 Get involved and give a gift that grows by sponsoring a tree sponsor a tree today: www.hants.gov.uk/landplanningandenvironment/hampshireforestpartnership/get-involved/sponsorship

04/06/2026

🌳 Planting trees is just the beginning
The work continues long after the tree is planted.
For young trees, the first 3–5 years are critical - especially during dry summer months☀️ Warm, dry weather can put stress on new trees, which is why simple care makes all the difference:
💧 Regular watering
👀 Checking for signs of stress
🌱 Protecting young trees from being trampled or eaten
🍂Mulching trees to lock in moisture
These small actions help trees establish strong roots and grow for decades to come.
At the Hampshire Forest Partnership, we know that planting trees is a shared effort - and their success depends on all of us.

🌿 Summer care helps trees thrive
💚 Looking after trees is a shared effort
Let’s give every tree the best possible start.

02/06/2026

💚 Hampshire Celebrants: Offer a Legacy That Lasts 💚
If you’re a wedding, funeral or naming celebrant, you already create deeply meaningful moments for families.

Now you can make those moments last a lifetime - and beyond🌳
✨ Imagine offering your clients: A tree planted in their name, growing for generations in Hampshire.

You’ll also be helping us reach our goal of 1 million trees by 2050, supporting habitat creation and boosting local green spaces.

👉 Start sponsoring tree planting today.
Visit our website to get everything you need to get started: https://shop.hants.gov.uk/collections/hampshire-forest-partnership