The England tree planting programme will fund up to 500,000 new trees while helping communities tackle heatwaves, flooding and biodiversity loss.
LONDON: The England tree planting programme will deliver up to 500,000 new trees across urban and rural areas over three years under a £53 million Community Trees Fund announced by the UK government.
The funding will run from April 2027 to March 2030 and support planting on streets, in parks and across rural landscapes outside larger woodland creation schemes.
£79 million committed to local nature recovery
The tree fund forms part of a wider £79 million package announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on September 30, 2026. Alongside the £53 million allocated for trees, another £26 million will support Local Nature Recovery Strategies led by mayors and local authorities.
These strategies are designed to allow communities, councils, farmers, environmental groups and businesses to identify local priorities for restoring natural habitats. Projects could include recovering wetlands, improving vegetation along rivers and creating greener spaces that help communities adapt to changing weather conditions.
Trees expected to reduce heat and flood risks
The government says the England tree planting initiative is intended to improve climate resilience as Britain experiences periods of extreme heat, drought and heavy rainfall.
According to Defra, street trees can reduce air temperatures in cities by as much as 4°C. A mature tree can also intercept more than 15,000 litres of rainwater each year, potentially reducing surface water run-off and flood risks during storms. Trees additionally provide habitats for wildlife while helping improve air quality and local green spaces.
Local authorities and community groups can take part
Funding from the Community Trees Fund will be available to strategic authorities, councils and other organisations, including environmental charities, farm clusters and National Park Authorities. Further information about how organisations can apply is expected to be published later.
The £26 million nature recovery allocation will be shared across 48 responsible authorities. Government guidance says the local strategies now cover almost all of England and are intended to coordinate decisions about environmental restoration across different areas.
The programme also contributes towards England’s statutory environmental targets and the UK’s international commitment to conserve and manage at least 30 per cent of land for nature by 2030.
Impact to expect
The England tree planting programme could bring more shade and greenery to towns and cities while improving wildlife habitats and helping local areas manage heat and heavy rainfall. Its practical impact will depend on where trees are planted, how successfully young trees are established and how projects are maintained over time.
