Guidance on tree planting during Covid-19

As its first action, Humanist Climate Action is encouraging humanists to plant trees and send it to us by email or through social media by 6 May. The tree each person plants could be a mighty Oak in an open field or a small Bonsai in a pot. The point is to get as many humanists as possible planting. This will be followed by a formal launch event in May, where HCA will share the videos and photos.

Please also see our guide on general best practice advice when planting a tree. 

Currently, there are several different restriction regimes across the UK to prevent the spread of Covid-19. When participating in Humanist Climate Action’s tree planting initiative, you should make sure that you comply with these restrictions in your area and take measures to ensure that you and anyone else participating are Covid-secure.

Pandemic rules

Tree planting in England and Wales

 Under Covid 19 restrictions rules, there are several ways in which you could plant your tree

Firstly, you don’t have to leave home to plant a tree

  • You can plant a small tree in a pot at home. We would love to see pictures of trees being displayed on windowsills or balconies.
  • You can plant a tree in a garden or land attached to your property.

Secondly, under pandemic restrictions you can: 

  • in England, you can meet outdoors and socially distanced with up to six people or two different households.
  • the same will also apply in Wales from 24 April.
  • attend an allotment. But you should aim to go at quiet times, in the company of only your household or support bubble, and maintain social distancing.

Tree planting in Northern Ireland

Under Covid 19 restrictions rules, there are several ways in which you could plant your tree.

Firstly, you don’t have to leave home to plant a tree

  • You can plant a small tree in a pot at home. We would love to see pictures of trees being displayed on windowsills or balconies.
  • You can plant a tree in a garden or land attached to your property.

Secondly, you can: 

  • Up to 10 people (including children of all ages) from a maximum of two households can meet outdoors.
  • check locally whether there are restrictions on attending allotments.

Tree planting in Scotland

Humanists UK’s sister charity Humanist Society Scotland leads humanist campaigning on environmental issues in Scotland. However, if you are planting a tree in Scotland, please heed the following Covid-19 restrictions. In Scotland, the advice is to stay at home as much as possible. Mainland Scotland is in Level 4 restrictions that amount to a lockdown, with a stay at home order in place. This means that you should only leave your house for essential purposes. (However, some islands are at Level 3 which have different restrictions.) Although this will greatly limit the opportunities to get out and plant a tree, you can still get involved locally.

Firstly, you don’t have to leave home to plant a tree

  • You can plant a small tree in a pot at home. We would love to see pictures of trees being displayed on windowsills or balconies.
  • You can plant a tree in a garden or land attached to your property.

Secondly, you can: 

  • meet in groups of up to 6 from 6 households outdoors in your garden or a public place.
  • check locally whether there are restrictions on attending allotments.

Please check with the Scottish Government for changes in these rules.