If you have a question, we are more than happy to help, email: treeday@planetark.com Before you submit your question, it might already be answered in our Frequently Asked Questions below.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Help
In 2026: Schools Tree Day is Friday 24 July, National Tree Day is Sunday 26 July, and Tropical Tree Day is Sunday 6 December.
At the program’s inception, Planet Ark was advised by various experts that on average, this is the best time to plant native plants in most parts of Australia. Planting natives in the cooler months allows young plants to take advantage of seasonal rainfall and establish roots before the harsh heat and dryness of summer.
Because the climate varies widely in Australia, some areas may not suit a July planting – that’s why we say “Any day is Tree Day” and have arranged year-round insurance, allowing your event to be held on an alternative date. Northern areas hold Tropical Tree Day in December instead.
If late July doesn’t suit your area, consider using the day for seed collection, site maintenance, mulching, watering, or weeding at a previous planting site.
Planet Ark recommends planting natives that are local to your area. These plants are perfectly suited to the local soil type, climate, and wildlife. We recommend contacting your local native nursery or your council’s Bushcare or natural resources team for information about the most appropriate plants for your area. You can check out our Native Species Guide in our Toolkit for more information and inspiration. Planting a mix of trees, shrubs, and grasses improves biodiversity by creating canopy layers and groundcover, providing habitat for different animals.
Councils, schools, and community groups are welcome to use our logos. These are available to registered coordinators in the Coordinator Hub. Businesses and other organisations must treeday@planetark.com to request permission.
You can still support nature and get involved in other meaningful ways:
• You can plant natives in your own garden at home. Visit our Plant at Home page for more information.
• If you'd like to support others, consider fundraising for or donating to The Seedling Bank, which covers the cost of seedlings for school and community planting projects.
• Connect with nature in other ways such as going for a bushwalk, doing some weeding, or simply spending time outside appreciating the trees around you.
• Children can also find fun activities in our free National Tree Day activity books.
• Stay connected by following our social channels @nationaltreeday or by subscribing to our newsletter.
Planet Ark has arranged Voluntary Workers Insurance covering participants at any registered public National Tree Day event or activity throughout the year, subject to policy conditions.
For cover to be effective, the activity must be registered on the National Tree Day website, and each participant must sign in via the QR code or Volunteer Sign-In Form upon arrival at the planting site (a parent or guardian must sign in on behalf of participants under 18 years of age).
All insurance forms are available in the ators%2Findex.cfm%3F" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Coordinator Hub after logging in.
Certificates of Currency are issued per financial year (1 July – 30 June) and was updated on 1 July.
When you register, please indicate whether you agree to let Planet Ark use your information and/ or images for the purpose of promoting and coordinating the National Tree Day event. If you do not wish for photographs to be taken of you and/ or your child, please let your Site Coordinator know on the day.
Volunteering at a Site
Enter your postcode on the Find a Site page to find planting events in your area. /p>
Yes, we recommend all volunteers register online as it helps site coordinators anticipate numbers and plan accordingly. Some sites reach capacity, so registration is essential to avoid being turned away on the day.
Most site coordinators prefer large groups to contact them directly prior to registering, to ensure they can accommodate you. Please use the contact details found on your event page to get in touch directly with your site coordinator.
Keep an eye on the Find a Site page, as many events are registered in June and July, closer to National Tree Day.
If you still can’t see any events in your area, check with your local council or visit their website to see if they are hosting a planting event that may not be listed on our website.
If there are no events happening near you and you still want to get involved, you can plant in your own garden or on your balcony. You can register your plants on our website to be included in our national tally.
No – participation is free!
If you would like to provide financial support to get more trees in the ground, you may consider making a donation to The Seedling Bank, where your contribution helps cover the cost of seedlings planted by schools and community groups around the country.
Please dress appropriately for the weather, including closed-toe shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting a bit dirty. We also recommend bringing a hat, a reusable water bottle, and sunscreen. Please read the information on your event’s page as some sites may require you to bring your own gloves or tools.
Organising a Site
The Site Coordinator is the person responsible for organising a National Tree Day event. This includes registering the site with Planet Ark, sourcing plants, organising tools and equipment, ensuring all forms are completed, managing volunteer registrations, and coordinating the event on the day.
They are also responsible for ongoing site maintenance after the event.
For more information, visit our Host a Site page.
Head over to the Schools section of the Tree Day website and download the Schools Guide for comprehensive information about running your school’s planting event.
Don’t forget to check out our lesson plans and activity sheets in the Coordinator Toolkit.
If you need more support, please email treeday@planetark.com.
Head over to the Councils section of the Tree Day website and download the Councils Guide for comprehensive information about running your council’s planting event.
Don’t forget to check out our posters and social media tiles in the https://nationaltreeday.org.au/toolkit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Coordinator Toolkit.
If you need more support, please email treeday@planetark.com.
Head over to the Business section of the Tree Day website and download the Business Guide for comprehensive information about getting your business involved in National Tree Day.
If you need more support, please email treeday@planetark.com.
Head over to the Community Groups section of the Tree Day website and download the Community Guide for comprehensive information about running your group’s planting event.
You must determine who owns the site, if that’s not you, seek permission from the local council or private landholder to plant there.
You should also consider what environmental or social outcomes you wish to achieve (e.g. habitat restoration, urban greening), how many volunteers and plants you need to accommodate, whether the site is safe and accessible for volunteers, who will provide ongoing maintenance of the site, and whether the site has an accessible water source for post-planting watering.
No – If those dates don’t suit your local climate or your availability, we believe that every day is Tree Day. Planet Ark has arranged insurance coverage for all registered events or activities throughout the year, provided volunteers complete the Volunteer Sign-In Form on the day.
Unfortunately, as a small not-for-profit, Planet Ark is unable to provide supplies to the hundreds of planting events around the country. Consider reaching out to your local council for support, or local businesses and/or native plant nurseries who may wish to support your event through donations or discounted supplies.
Schools and community groups can apply for a Seedling Bank grant when applications are open. Successful applicants receive funds to cover the cost of their seedlings. Sign up to our newsletter to be notified when applications open.
Site Coordinators should source native plants that are local to their area for the best environmental outcomes. You can start by finding out if there is a council or community-run native nursery in your area. These nurseries often offer local species at low-cost.
Regular native plant nurseries are also a great option with many offering discounts for larger planting projects and some even provide discounts for National Tree Day.
Your local council or Bushcare group may be able to offer advice on plant species local to your area and where to source them.
Simply create or log in to your Tree Day account, click ‘Register an Event’, and complete the online registration form.
Over the past 30 years, National Tree Day has planted over 28.5 million trees and engaged more than 5 million volunteers across 70,000+ events nationwide. Registering your event means it counts toward this national tally.
Volunteers who sign in at registered public Tree Day events are covered by Planet Ark’s Voluntary Workers Insurance, helping protect participants in the event of an accident or injury at your event.
Registered public events appear on our Find a Site map, helping local volunteers find and join your event. If you don’t want your event to be visible, you can register it as a private event.
Registered coordinators also get access to our support team and additional communications to help make their event a success.
It is mandatory that all volunteers over 18 years of age sign in upon arrival at your planting event. Parents and guardians must sign in on behalf of their children.
This lets us know who attended on the day and ensures your volunteers are covered under our insurance.
Please use the Digital Sign-In poster found in your Coordinator Hub under ‘Paperwork’. This contains a QR code that takes volunteers to a short online form to complete.
Paper forms are also available for areas with poor internet connection.
Log in to the Coordinator Hub, select ‘Edit Event’, and scroll to the bottom of your event details.
Under ‘RSVP’, you will see the ‘Site at Capacity’ option. Select ‘Yes’ from the dropdown menu.
Once your site has been marked as ‘At Capacity’, your event details will remain visible to registered volunteers, but no new volunteers will be able to register for the event.
If you are having difficulty with this process, contact treeday@planetark.com.
Planting and preparation:
• Identify plants native to the local area and decide where to plant them.
• Place your seedling orders early and arrange pickup or delivery to the site.
• Assess whether site preparation is needed, such as weeding, clearing, or pre-digging holes.
• Complete risk assessments and safety requirements.
• Arrange post-planting watering and follow-up care.
Volunteers:
• Estimate volunteer numbers and event duration.
• Confirm parking and public transport options.
• Consider a BBQ or refreshments for volunteers (your local Rotary or Lions Club may be able to assist).
• Tell volunteers what to bring and wear, such as appropriate clothing, closed-toe shoes, gloves, snacks, and drinks.
Equipment and supplies:
• Plants and planting equipment, such as gloves, trowels, tree guards, and wheelbarrows.
• First aid kit, rubbish bins, and drinking water.
• Signage, forms, and a registration desk.
You can find our full event checklist in the Coordinator Hub once your site is registered.
• Position seedlings early so plants go in where you want them.
• Direct volunteers to the right location on arrival.
• Set up a volunteer sign-in station with the digital QR code poster or paper forms (found under ‘Paperwork’ in the Coordinator Hub). This is mandatory for all volunteers to be covered by insurance.
• Set up a dedicated first aid area with a qualified first aider.
• Arrange for someone to demonstrate planting and oversee health and safety requirements on site. Planting demonstrations are vital to help ensure your seedlings survive. Common mistakes include holes that are too shallow or too deep, and damage to roots when removing seedlings from pots.
• Set up your refreshments or BBQ if you are providing them.
• Take before-and-after photos. Don’t forget to post them and tag us on social media: @nationaltreeday and @planetark, and use the hashtags #nationaltreeday and #connectwithnature.
We encourage Site Coordinators to capture the day and share with our National Tree Day community, tagging @nationaltreeday on Instagram and Facebook and use #nationaltreeday. Remember to take some before and after shots to reflect on in years to come!
Important: Some volunteers may not wish for any photographs of them and/or their children to be taken or posted online. Please ensure you ask before taking photos and provide a way to identify those who don’t want photos e.g. a coloured wristband, or a sticker to wear. This also helps to identify photos to delete if you have accidentally taken a photo with them in it.
Please let us know how your event went by logging your results via the Coordinator Hub.
Key details to record include:
• Number of trees, shrubs, and grasses that were planted.
• Number of volunteers who attended on the day.
Once you have logged your results, you will be taken to a short optional survey where you can provide additional information about your event and share any feedback.
Aftercare
Remember to arrange staff or volunteers to care for the seedlings after they have been planted. We recommend a regular watering schedule for at least eight weeks after planting to give seedlings the best chance of survival.
You can also register additional dates for follow-up weeding, mulching, and maintenance visits.
Take photos from the same location over months or years as a great way to document your site's growth and environmental impact.
• Local community and service clubs (such as Lions, Rotary, RSLs, and Men’s Shed) may be able to assist with refreshments, BBQs, tools, funding, or marshalling. Lions BBQ requests must be made at least one month before your event.
• Local businesses, including plant nurseries, hardware stores, cafés, bakeries, and produce retailers, may be willing to donate supplies or food in kind.
• Local sports club players and members may be interested in getting involved.
• Local performers, musicians, or wildlife handlers can help add to the atmosphere of your event.
• Park Rangers, Bushcare Officers, Botanical Gardens, Landcare, Greening Australia, Trees For Life (SA), and Men of the Trees (WA) may be able to assist with sourcing local plants or provide a talk, planting demonstration, or workshop for participants.
For serious accidents or injuries, please call an ambulance without hesitation. We recommend that all sites have a first aid kit and a certified first aider available to provide assistance.
Planet Ark has arranged Public Liability insurance for all public National Tree Day events registered via our website, provided volunteers check in on the day.
Please use the Volunteer Sign-In QR Code posters in the ‘Paperwork’ section of the Coordinator Hub to ensure your volunteers are covered.
Important: For all accidents and injuries, big or small, Site Coordinators must complete the NTD Accident Incident Report Form found under ‘Paperwork’ in the Coordinator Hub and notify Planet Ark by emailing treeday@planetark.com.
The Seedling Bank
Launched in 2019, Planet Ark’s The Seedling Bank is a community grants program that funds native seedlings for schools and community groups, helping to support planting, habitat restoration, and regeneration projects across Australia.
Thank you for considering a donation. For individuals and smaller donations, head to our Donate page to make a tax-deductible donation.
For organisations interested in becoming a sponsor or partner of The Seedling Bank, please email partnerships@planetark.com.
60% of funds are passed on as grants to schools and community groups to cover the costs of their seedlings. 40% is retained by Planet Ark to cover the administrative costs of running the program.
Schools and community groups can apply for a Seedling Bank grant when application rounds are open. Councils and businesses are ineligible to receive a grant.
The Seedling Bank supports a wide range of planting projects from bushtucker gardens in schools through to large-scale revegetation efforts. We prioritise projects with strong environmental benefits, including increased biodiversity, habitat restoration, and protection of threatened plant and animal species. We also consider community outcomes such as community engagement, education, and urban cooling.
When grant rounds are open, Coordinators will see an option to apply for a Seedling Bank grant when they register their Tree Day event. Sign up to our newsletter to be notified when applications open.
A minimum of 80% of grant funding must be used to purchase native seedlings. Seedlings should cost no more than $7 each, unless approved in specific cases. A maximum of 20% of funding can be allocated to cover equipment costs e.g. tree guards, stakes, weed mats. Equipment must be shown to improve the environmental outcome of your project e.g. seedling survival rate.
No, you can plant on any day of the year. We recognise that optimal planting conditions vary around Australia, so please plant when it best suits your local area to ensure a high survival rate.
Grants are required to be used in the same calendar year you receive them, unless otherwise approved by Planet Ark. If you are unable to use the funding in this timeframe, your funding will be reallocated to another group.
We aim to contact all applicants via email within 3 weeks of the grant round’s closing date.
Planet Ark will pay the invoices for your seedlings directly to your chosen nursery.
Grant recipients will be required to complete a funding agreement, source seedlings, obtain quotes and invoices from their chosen native plant nursery, and provide photographs and follow-up reporting to be shared with Planet Ark and sponsors of The Seedling Bank.
Absolutely! We assess all applications in each grant round independently and encourage unsuccessful applicants to apply again for future grant rounds.
