Cork City Council to Give Away 5,000 Free Native Trees This Weekend

Cork City Council is set to distribute 5,000 free native trees across three city locations next week, as part of National Tree Week 2026, building on the success of previous giveaways that proved hugely popular with Cork residents.

Species on offer include hawthorn, holly, rowan, birch, alder, pine, and hazel, and all are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the following events:

Monday, 9 March Tramore Valley Park and Glen River Park (car park adjacent to the old Keating's Furniture building on Ballyhooly Road) will each host a giveaway from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with 2,000 trees available at each location.

Wednesday, 11 March Glanmire Roads Depot (Eircode T45 CF65, left turn 100 metres past Kearney's Cross) will distribute 1,000 trees, sponsored by the Office of Public Works, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and again from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The giveaway follows two successive National Tree Week events held in 2024 and 2025, during which Cork City Council, in partnership with Coillte and the Tree Council of Ireland, distributed 5,500 native trees across the city.

Cork City Council owns and manages approximately 17% of the city's total tree canopy, and since 2021 has planted 20,000 trees across Cork. If that rate continues, Cork may well be more forest than city by the time the next pothole season rolls around.

Thomas Kane, Tree Officer with Cork City Council, said:

"The enthusiasm over the past two years has been fantastic, and we're excited to build on that momentum this National Tree Week. Each native tree planted is a meaningful investment in Cork's future, supporting biodiversity and healthier green spaces. We encourage everyone to come along, pick up a tree, and help create a greener Cork."

National Tree Week runs from Sunday, 8 March to Sunday, 15 March 2026, and is organised by the Tree Council of Ireland in partnership with Coillte. It is the largest tree celebration in Ireland, bringing communities together to celebrate the importance of the country's trees.

For more information on National Tree Week, visit nationaltreeweek.ie.