Schools, farmers, community groups and landowners in Stone and the surrounding villages could receive free fruit trees to create or restore traditional orchards under a Staffordshire funding scheme.
The opportunity is open to those with suitable land, with projects needing to involve at least 10 fruit trees. Applicants can receive support with planting and equipment, as well as advice on choosing suitable fruit tree varieties.
Staffordshire County Council has secured funding from the Tree Council to help establish or restore 20 small traditional orchards across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Not every location will qualify, however. Land must fall within areas identified as suitable through the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Applications are open until the end of November 2026, with funding allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Who can apply?
The scheme is open to landowners, farmers, schools and community organisations with suitable land.
Projects must involve at least 10 fruit trees, with planting possible on farmland, school grounds, community-owned land and other appropriate sites.
Small agroforestry projects, which combine trees with agricultural land use, may also be considered.
There are geographical restrictions on where trees can be planted. Sites must fall within areas identified by the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Nature Recovery Strategy as either:
- An Area that Could Become Important for Biodiversity (ACB).
- An Area of Particular Importance for Biodiversity (APIB).
Locations where the orchard would be visible to the public are preferred, although public access is not listed as a requirement.
Applicants can check their land using the Local Nature Recovery Strategy’s Local Habitat Map. However, as the map is currently being updated, eligibility will need to be confirmed before a project can proceed.
Supporting nature and local communities
The funding forms part of work towards the forthcoming Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, which includes a target to establish or restore 20 traditional small orchards.
Patrick Allen, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, said
“Traditional orchards can be fantastic places for nature, while also creating something that communities can enjoy for years to come.
“This funding is a great opportunity for farmers, schools, community groups and other landowners to introduce more fruit trees to their land without having to meet the cost themselves.”
How to apply
Anyone interested in creating or restoring an orchard should contact Andrew Walton, Tree Strategy Manager at Staffordshire County Council, to discuss their proposal.
Email trees@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Applications close at the end of November 2026, but interested groups are encouraged to make contact sooner because funding is limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis.
All trees funded through the scheme must be planted by the end of February 2027.
Further information is available on the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Nature Recovery Strategy website.
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