Are you looking for an unusual festive gift for friends or family that doesn’t cost the earth? If you have links with the North West of England, a local environmental charity may have the perfect gift for you.

Community Forest Trust is running the Dedicate a Tree programme, which enables people to donate a tree in their local community forest in the name of their loved one. Dedicate a Tree in a local woodland in Greater Manchester and your special someone will receive a certificate featuring a personalised message and a map so they can visit their woodland.

By dedicating a tree, you can contribute to the growing network of woodlands in the region. Not only are these woodlands a great place to visit, but they also provide cooling shade in summer and a vital habitat for wildlife. Dedicating a tree costs £15, with the proceeds helping to support our work to create a greener, healthier North West. The Dedicate a Tree project is run by Community Forest Trust, the charity that supports the work of nationwide community forest initiatives including The Mersey Forest, Red Rose Forest, Pennine Edge Forest and The Forest of Mercia.

To find out more and dedicate a tree, go to dedicateatree.org