Harborough District Council is working in partnership with Jacksons Nurseries to provide 3,600 free fruit trees to residents, commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Locals can collect one tree per person from Welland Park on 2nd and 3rd April, with no prior booking required. The fruit trees will be available in bare root form, meaning they must be planted on the same day to ensure their health and longevity.
This scheme is aimed at promoting sustainability and fostering a greater sense of community within the Harborough district. By offering free fruit trees, the council hopes to encourage greener spaces, support homegrown food production, and contribute to climate action. The initiative is also a tribute to the upcoming VE Day anniversary on 8th May, honouring the contributions made during World War II and celebrating the enduring values of unity and peace.
The selection of apple, cherry, and plum trees is being provided by Jacksons Nurseries, a family-owned garden centre based in North Staffordshire. The nursery, which operates from a 10-acre site, produces over 300,000 plants each year for both its physical garden centre and nationwide online shop. Now in its third generation of family ownership, Jacksons Nurseries is increasingly involved in community initiatives, particularly those promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Owner of Jacksons Nurseries, Luke Jackson said: “We are delighted to be part of this important initiative in Harborough. Trees are proven to improve air quality, reduce urban heat and support local wildlife. My grandad was a rear gunner on a Sunderland plane during WW2. The trees will act as a fitting tribute to the sacrifices made by my grandad and millions of others like him during the war. The trees will be in flower by 8th May in a sign of hope and new beginnings.”
Local resident Geoff Feavyour who hopes to take advantage of the giveaway commented: “There’s nothing more rewarding than growing your own fruit and picking it fresh off the tree. It tastes much better than mass produced fruit and avoids the need for plastic packaging. Fruit trees are a great way to teach children about the pollination process in a fun, hands-on way, helping them appreciate the importance of insects such as bees and butterflies in the ecology of our local environments.”
The Harborough fruit tree initiative is the latest of several community projects supported by Jacksons Nurseries over recent months. Their planting team installed 16 root-balled Christmas trees for Pontypool council in October and regularly help with trees and displays at their local church, St Chads. Jacksons Nurseries is located on Thorney Edge Road in Bagnall, Staffordshire, ST9 9LE. More information is available on their website at www.jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
The Harborough project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
The full address of the location where the trees will be available to collect is Welland Park, Welland Park Road, Market Harborough, LE16 9DN.
