Adopt a tree

We currently have an ‘Adopt a Tree’ project which is bringing greenery to the streets, parks and open spaces of Trafford.

As part of the project we would like to offer you the opportunity to adopt your own street tree either on the pavement outside of your house or a suitable commemorative tree to be planted within a park or open space. Residents can adopt one tree per year.

About adopting a tree

For a cost of between £70-£90+VAT (dependant on choice of species) you will receive the tree of your choice from our list of appropriate tree species.

Tree adoptions are subject to a site inspection. The following considerations might lead to the request being turned down or amended:

Footpath width of less than 1.7m
Proximity of proposed location to street furniture such as telephone poles, street light columns, benches, bus stops and other signage
Tree planting affecting sight lines, on-street parking and other accessibility issues
Excavations affecting known underground utilities
Tree species availability
Known site conditions preventing good tree establishment
Applications for more than 1 tree

Our experienced Tree Management Unit will carry out the planting and aftercare of the trees. The trees will be heavy standards, which are approximately three metres tall when planted and grow to an impressive size within a short period of time.

Supplied in 65-120 litre pots (dependant upon species) the trees are provided with a protective tree guard to prevent vandalism and tree stakes to hold them stable until the root system has become established.

Adopted street trees will also be registered on our tree database along with the tree’s details, with us taking responsibility for upkeep and future management.

How to adopt a street tree

Simply apply online or if you prefer you can download a printable version. Once we receive your form a member of our Tree Unit will contact you to arrange to carry out a site inspection to assess suitability. We will then discuss detailed arrangements in relation to costs and the time and date of planting.

The Tree Adoption application process is open between April 1 and October 1. The process is paused in October to allow the Tree Unit to undertake the site inspections and order the tree saplings. Planting of the saplings will take place in Feb- April the following year after your application is submitted.

By adopting a street tree you will be making a valuable contribution to your local and global environment.

Apply online to adopt a tree

If you can't apply online you can download and application form and email to etooperationstreeunit@trafford.gov.uk or post to: The Tree Unit, Tatton House, 11 Caldey Road, Manchester M23 9LF.

Did you know?

Streets with trees can have up to 85% less dust particles in the air that we breathe
Trees can help to filter out vehicle-borne carbon emissions
Trees can help to reduce noise pollution by as much as 6 – 8 decibels
Trees convert carbon dioxide (the biggest contributor to ozone depletion) into oxygen
Trees can counteract the effects of global warming by absorbing light, releasing moisture and reflecting heat

Species of trees available for adoption

The majority of the trees offered are ornamental species, which are appropriate for street planting as they do not grow excessively high and do not have aggressive root systems. The other trees listed are suitable in some highway situations, parks and open spaces.

Tree species	Location suitability	Tree details
Prunus Sargentii Rancho	HIGHWAY or PARK	Attractive columnar form of flowering cherry, ideal where space is restricted with pink blossom and fine orange and crimson autumn colour. Height 5-10m
Prunus Umineko	HIGHWAY or PARK	Medium upright flowering cherry with white blossom and excellent Autumn colour. Height 5-10m
Pyrus Calleryana Chanticleer	HIGHWAY or PARK	Ornamental upright flowering pear tree with abundant white blossom as early as March, orange and red autumn colour. An excellent street tree. Height to 8-10m
Sorbus Aucuparia	HIGHWAY or PARK	Excellent native tree, the Rowan or Mountain Ash has white flowers, red berries. Does not thrive with excessive reflective heat and light such as paved areas. Height up to 10m.
Betula Jacquemonti	HIGHWAY or PARK	The Himalayan Birch has an upright growth habit, brilliant white bark and grows to about 10m.
Malus Trilobata	HIGHWAY or PARK	A rare Crab apple ideally suited for sites where space is restricted due to its upright form. Height 5-7m
Prunus Serrula	HIGHWAY or PARK	The Tibetan Cherry is noted for its shiny, mahogany-brown bark. Slowly growing to a height of 5-10m.
Prunus X Hillieri Spire	HIGHWAY or PARK	An outstanding upright cherry tree with pink blossom, red / purple Autumn colour, Height 5-10m
Sorbus Aria Lutescens	HIGHWAY or PARK	Small, compact, rounded tree with silvery-white spring foliage, producing berries in the autumn. Height 7-10m.
Liriodendron Tulipifera	PARK	Tulip tree has a broad pyramidal crown, tulip shaped flowers in maturity and vivid yellow autumn colour. Grows to 15m.
Quercus Palustris	PARK	Upright Oak, has a columnar crown and as such makes an effective street tree but best suited to wide verges and parks, Height to 15m.
Fraxinus Ornus	HIGHWAY or PARK	Rather slow growing Ash tree eventually makes a rounded tree of medium height with fragrant white blossoms, excellent autumn colour from yellow to red and orange, Height 10-15m.
Ginkgo Biloba	HIGHWAY or PARK	The Maidenhair Tree is a survivor of the prehistoric times, has a conical crown, unique-shaped leaves and copes well with traffic pollution. Height to 15m +.
Betula Papyrifera	PARK	Paper birch is a medium to large tree with a conical habit, has white papery bark and attractive yellow autumn foliage. Grows to 10m.
Amelanchier Arborea Robin Hill	HIGHWAY or PARK	Attractive small tree ideal for street plantings, excellent display of white flowers in spring with good autumn colour. Height 5-10m.
Liquidamber Styraciflua	HIGHWAY or PARK	Sweet Gum, large tree with corky bark, magnificent crimson and gold autumn colour, well suited for wide pavements, avenues and parks Height to 15-20m.
Acer Campestre	HIGHWAY or PARK	Small to medium size native tree, suitable for a range of soil types and will tolerant drought, soil compaction and air pollution making it an ideal choice for street planting, Excellent autumn colour. Height 10-15m.
Crataegus Monogyna	HIGHWAY or PARK	Excellent native tree more often seen as a hedgerow plant but also makes a good choice as an urban tree, good for wildlife. Height 5-10m
Malus Evereste	HIGHWAY or PARK	A rounded tree of medium height with prolific white blossoms and good autumn colour. Height 5-7m
Prunus Cerasifera Nigra	HIGHWAY or PARK	Cherry plum with purple leaves and pink flowers in the early spring. Height 5-10m
Quercus Robur		The native English Oak is a long-lived wonderful choice of tree for parkland. The environmental benefits of the English Oak are second to none and its deeply grained bark gives all year round appeal.
Acer Platanoides	PARK	The Norway Maple is relatively fast growing, displays good autumn colour and makes a good park tree. Grows up to 20m+
Betula Pendula	PARK	The Silver Birch has a semi-weeping habit, attractive bark and makes a good park tree. Grows up to 15-20m
Castanea Sativa	PARK	The Sweet Chestnut is a versatile and beautiful, fast growing, and large tree and is particularly attractive in early summer. Produces edible nuts in autumn. Grows to 20m+