Free Fruit Trees Are Coming to West Lothian!
Update – Thank you West Lothian!
We’ve been overwhelmed by the response to our free fruit tree giveaway — thank you to everyone who registered their interest, and a special thank you to everyone who shared the form with friends, neighbours and local groups. Your support helped us reach communities right across West Lothian. We’ve now reached capacity, so the sign-up form is closed.
If you’ve already registered, we’ll be in touch by December to confirm if you have a tree.
Thanks again for your support for community climate action in West Lothian!
Would you like your own fruit tree to grow and care for at home?
SIGN UP for a West Lothian Climate Action Network giveaway.
This winter, West Lothian Climate Action Network (WLCAN) is giving away hundreds of free fruit trees to households across West Lothian — inspired by Climate Action Fife’s popular “A Fruit Tree for Every Garden” scheme. Growing your own fruit means fresh, seasonal food with zero food miles, right on your doorstep. Fruit trees also are beautiful, lock away carbon, support bees and other pollinators, and provide shelter for wildlife for decades to come.
Growing a fruit tree is easy, once established it only needs maintenance a couple of times a year, WLCAN will provide support and advice on what to do.
What’s on offer
Free bare-root apple, pear, plum and cherry trees — the best way to plant a fruit tree, and ready to go straight into the ground this winter.
A planting and care guide with every tree, so you know exactly how to give it the best start.
Who can apply
Any West Lothian household, group or community space with room to plant a tree is welcome to apply.
Council tenants: WLCAN is working with West Lothian Council to offer an allocation of trees to council tenants. If this applies to you, please check with your Tenant Participation Team.
How it works
Register your interest online from Friday, 14 August, 2026. Complete form.
We’ll be in touch in December to confirm your nearest collection point, based on your postcode.
Collect your tree at a local pick-up event in February 2027, along with your planting and care guide.
Please note: registering your interest doesn’t guarantee a tree. Trees are limited and demand is expected to be high, so please register as early as possible once the form goes live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this really free?
Yes — completely free, funded by WLCAN, with no catch.
How many trees can I request?
One each.
What types of fruit tree will I get?
Apple, pear, plum and cherry trees will be available. We can’t guarantee a specific variety, and allocation will depend on stock.
How big will the tree be?
When you first get the tree it will be quite small, just one year old. The tree will eventually grow to a height of 3- 3.5m. No, the trees we will offer are on a semi-dwarfing rootstock so they stay small enough for most gardens.
Can community groups or schools apply, not just individual households?
Yes — groups and community spaces are welcome to apply through the sign-up form.
When and where do I collect my tree?
Trees will be collected at local pick-up events across West Lothian in January/February 2027. You’ll be allocated your nearest collection point automatically, based on your postcode.
What if I can’t make my collection date?
We’ll get in touch to try to find a solution for this.
Do I need gardening experience to plant a fruit tree?
No — every tree comes with a planting and care guide, and we will also have future training if you’d like to know more.
What maintenance does a fruit tree need
The most important thing in the first summer is to water the tree once per week during dry spells (no need if we have a wet summer).
What happens if I register but don’t get a tree?
We will keep a waiting list and if we run the scheme again, we may also get in touch if others can’t come to collect their tree.
Are council tenants included in this scheme?
Yes — WLCAN is working with West Lothian Council to offer an allocation of trees to council tenants. More details on this will be available from the tenant participation team. Email the team: TP@westlothian.gov.uk
Is this only open to West Lothian residents?
Yes — this scheme is for people who live in West Lothian.
When does the sign-up form open?
The Expression of Interest form is open from 14 August 2026. Council tenants should contact their tenant participation team.
Stay updated
Questions? Get in touch: info@wlcan.scot
