Watford council hits goal of planting 20,000 trees

The initiative was launched in 2020 with the aim to support biodiversity, enhance the urban landscape, and improve air quality.

The goal was mostly met through substantial tree giveaways in 2022 and 2023, together with the participation of local residents, businesses, community groups, and further street plantings.

The scheme has been supported by the Forestry Commission’s Local Authority Treescapes Fund (Image: Watford Borough Council)

The council planted more than 1,000 trees in parks to improve the leisure experience and biodiversity, pushing the town's canopy cover up from 18.2 per cent, which was already two per cent above the national average.

The accomplishment moves Watford closer to its broader environmental ambitions and becoming a net-zero carbon town by 2030.

The additional trees are estimated to absorb roughly 60,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

The locations for some of the trees were suggested by residents (Image: Watford Borough Council)

Watford mayor Peter Taylor said: "When I was elected, I set a goal of helping to plant 20,000 trees by 2026 in the town.

"Watford has not only met but exceeded this target, so thank you to everyone in the community who has helped create a greener and healthier environment."

The scheme has been financially supported by the Forestry Commission’s Local Authority Treescapes Fund.