Funding secured for more tree planting in Surrey

Surrey County Council's Tree Planting and Establishment Team have been successful in recent funding bids to the Forestry Commission receiving just over £315,000, from both their Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF) and the Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF). The funding will increase tree planting, supporting the Council's target to plant 1.2 million trees across Surrey and be carbon neutral by 2050.

This funding will help to facilitate planting in both urban and rural settings such as parks and community spaces, as well as along roads and footpaths helping communities to fight the effects of climate change. Trees in these settings are particularly valuable as they are outside of established woodlands and can provide the greatest levels of benefit to ecosystems, such as carbon absorption, flood protection and support for biodiversity, as well as connecting fragmented habitats through wildlife corridors.

The Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF) helps target landscapes that have been neglected in the past, ecologically damaged or affected by tree diseases like ash dieback. The Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF) was first developed in response to the Government's commitment to provide millions of pounds for planting both large and small trees in and around England's towns and cities. Urban trees are said to offer a range of benefits, including improved wellbeing – particularly when in close proximity to large populations.

To date 558,267 trees have been planted across Surrey since 2020 with the tree planting and establishment team responsible for planting over 200,000 of these trees. This additional funding will allow the team to continue their tree planting and establishment work, in England's most wooded county over the next four years.

The team are seeking volunteers for this winter's tree planting events taking place from November through to February. Come and help plant new trees, get outdoors and meet new people. No experience needed, just wrap up warm, bring a spade and join in! Visit the tree planting events page to see all available dates or for more information or email trees@surreycc.gov.uk.