This autumn, the Woodland Trust is sending out more than half a million free trees to be planted in winter.

Anyone who missed out this time can still apply for packs before January 9 to be delivered in spring, to make their schools, neighbourhoods and communities greener.

Since the trust started its free tree scheme, 132 packs have been sent to Wiltshire, that’s 27,765 new trees planted in the county.

Packs of trees come in different sizes and themes to choose from. Anyone successfully applying for a spring pack will receive their trees ready for planting in March. Community groups such as parish councils, sports clubs, Brownies, Scouts and many more can apply for packs of either a small pack (30 trees), medium pack (105 trees), or a large pack (420 trees).

Schools are automatically eligible for free packs of 30 trees, in either a 'hedge' or 'copse' theme, but can apply to be considered for the medium and large packs if they wish.

Schools and communities applying for the medium and large tree packs can choose from six themes – trees ideal for year-round colour, wild harvest, wildlife, wetland, working wood and wild wood.

Beverley Gormley, the trust's tree packs project manager, said: "We’re absolutely thrilled to be giving away half a million trees in this month alone.

“Planting these free trees will not only help people make their schools and neighbourhoods greener and healthier, it’s also a great chance for people to do something meaningful together for their local community, and getting children involved is the perfect way to teach them about their environment and help them connect with nature.”

Giving away free trees is the perfect way to celebrate this year’s National Tree Week from November 23 to December 1.

The UK is one of the least wooded countries in Europe, with just 13 per cent woodland compared to 44 per cent on the continent, and the Woodland Trust wants to double this by helping people plant trees. Schools applying for their first pack of trees will be eligible for two points on the Green Tree Schools Award1.

The Woodland Trust supports communities and schools to plant through sponsored tree packs. However, government funded grants for tree planting and new woods in England have been suspended for two years.

The Woodland Trust is calling on the new Forestry Minister, Dan Rogerson, to provide interim grants in order to plug this two-year gap. So far, 30,000 people have signed its petition to support this call.

To apply for your free pack and sign the petition, head to www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/freetrees The tree packs have been funded by lead partners IKEA FAMILY and Biffa Award, and by the People’s Postcode Lottery.