'Tree-mendous' number of trees planted in 2024

Freshly planted trees are vulnerable to extreme weather

Record numbers of trees have been planted in part of Surrey, according to the local authority.

Surrey Heath Borough Council (SHBC) said it planted a "tree-mendous" 6,000 new trees between April 2024 and March 2025.

This was 1,000 trees more than the previous year's total of 5,000, it added.

It is not clear whether there was still a net gain of trees in area as, despite the planting, others could have been cut down or lost to disease.

Freshly planted trees are also vulnerable to extreme weather, especially heat, and can perish without maintenance.

"This excellent tree planting work... supports our priority of protecting the environment, continuing to increase biodiversity and drive towards net zero," said Councillor Morgan Rise.

The planted trees include hawthorn, blackthorn, sweet chestnut, oak, silver birch, sycamore, hazel, spindle and rowan, according to SHBC.

An orchard of 50 fruit trees, such as cherry, apple, pear, walnut and quince, was also planted at Windlemere, it added.

SHBC said the borough had the highest percentage of tree coverage in the country at 36.1%.