Foster a Forest
After already proving successful in Hethersett, it is now time for Leiston to give it a go!
Foster a Forest aims to create a network of small micronurseries, and that’s where you come in. Participants care for young saplings, nurturing them until they are strong and healthy enough to be planted throughout the town of Leiston, helping to increase local tree cover.
At the launch event, trees will be handed out for hosting until they are ready to be planted.
Interested in getting involved? Read on to find out more.
How can I foster a sapling?
The launch of foster a forest will be happening during the Great Big Green Week 2026. At the launch event we will be giving out saplings, talking you through the care and taking your details ready to contact you when we are ready to plant them in Leiston.
The launch event:
When – 11th June from 1500-1700
Where – The Community Orchard Leiston
See the breeds of trees we are using below:
What tree are you taking home?
Silver Birch (Betula Pendula)
This tree has distinctive triangular leaves and silvery‑white peeling bark. It can grow around 40 cm each year and reach up to 25 metres tall. Silver Birch is extremely valuable for wildlife, with its seeds feeding birds such as long‑tailed tits, siskins, greenfinches and redpolls, and it supports over 300 species of insects.
Did you know?
Silver Birch symbolises purification and renewal, and birch brooms were traditionally used to ‘purify’ gardens.
Source: The Woodland Trust
English Oak (Quercus Robur)
The Common Oak is well known for its impressive size, long lifespan and distinctive acorns. It grows around 50 cm per year and can reach between 20 and 40 metres when mature. This highly valuable tree supports over 2,300 species of insects, birds, fungi and mammals. Its acorns provide food for squirrels, deer, badgers and birds, while its leaves feed many caterpillars.
Did you know?
The oak supports more wildlife than any other native British tree and does not produce acorns until it is around 40 years old.
Source: The Woodland Trust
Field Maple (Acer Campastre)
This compact tree has distinctive five‑lobed leaves that turn a golden yellow in autumn. It grows around 40–60 cm per year and can reach up to 20 metres tall when mature. Its leaves are eaten by aphids, which attract predators such as ladybirds and birds, and it also provides food for several moth species.
Did you know?
Field Maple is the UK’s only native maple species. Its changing leaf colour, from silver to gold, was valued by Druids, who saw it as a form of natural alchemy known as “sunshine fire”.
Source: The Woodland Trust
How to look after your sapling?
Placement
Place your sapling somewhere with good drainage and plenty of sunlight. Avoid shaded areas.
Watering
Water whenever the soil feels dry, especially during hot or dry weather. Water in the morning or evening to avoid the hottest part of the day, and take care not to overwater, as this can cause root rot.
Feeding
If you have slow-release fertiliser, your sapling may benefit from a small amount. Please follow the instructions on the packaging to check if it is suitable and how much to use.
Weeding
Remove any weeds around your sapling, as they compete for water, sunlight and nutrients.
That’s all there is to it, look after your tree so it’s healthy and ready to be planted in Leiston when the time comes.
When will my sapling be planted?
The exact date for planting has not yet been confirmed and will take place later this year. When the planting day is announced, we ask that you bring your sapling back so it can be planted by you or a member of the Net Zero Leiston team. If you’re unable to attend, please drop your sapling off at the designated location.
All details will be updated below:
When: TBC
Where: TBC
Drop‑off location (if unable to attend): TBC
We can’t wait to see how big your saplings grow!
