Surrey libraries give away free trees

The 500-year-old yew tree at Waverley Abbey near Farnham was the Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year in 2022

Free trees have been given away at libraries across Surrey.

It is part of Surrey County Council's pledge to plant 1.2 million trees - one for each resident -by 2030.

The 650 trees are native, broad-leaved species and come with a stake and tie, ready for garden planting, the council says,

They were handed out between 09:30 and 12:00 GMT from Reigate, Dorking, Chertsey, Farnham, Haslemere and Molesey libraries.

"We also provided a leaflet containing information on how to plant and care for your tree to give it the best start in its new home," the council said.

'Significant benefits'

The authority says as part of its climate change strategy trees will be planted in both urban and rural locations, and supported to grow to maturity.

The council said: "As a major landowner in Surrey, we will identify areas of our own estate where trees and woodland can be planted, in order to increase overall tree coverage."

Trees provide "significant benefits in terms of air quality, biodiversity, health and wellbeing, education and the economy", the council says.

In November 2022, a 500-year-old yew tree in the grounds of the ruined Waverley Abbey near Farnham was voted the Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year.

The roots of the "magnificent" yew grow into and around the ruins of the English Heritage site Waverley Abbey - the first Cistercian monastery founded in Britain 900 years ago, the Woodlands Trust said.

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].