Surrey County Council exceeds its tree planting target

More than 800,000 new trees have been planted across Surrey over the past five years, exceeding the council's own target, according to a report.

Surrey County Council's report found 116,359 trees had been planted in the 2025/26 financial year alone.

It said the total planted between 2021 and 2026 was around 885,000, surpassing its initial target of 600,000.

However, Elmbridge Borough Council recently passed a motion calling for the future East Surrey council to update its tree strategy to consider survival rates.

It said many trees planted in the borough were dying within a year as a result of not receiving the right aftercare.

"There is little point celebrating the number of trees we plant if a significant number of them are dead a year later," said councillor Katerina Lusk.

Surrey County Council has committed to 1.2 million trees being planted by 2030, representing one for every resident.

The authority's report looked at the progress of its climate change delivery programme over the past five years.

It said the council was "broadly on track" to meet its 2030 net zero targets, stating that its carbon emissions have been reduced by around 60%.

The report said: "A major success of the programme has been supporting residents to reduce energy bills and improve their homes.

"More than 1,438 low-income households received energy efficiency improvements, including insulation, solar and low-carbon heating measures."

It also acknowledged challenges ahead in continuing to pursue decarbonisation policies.

The programme was "significantly affected by external market conditions, supply chain constraints and wider economic pressures", it added.

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