Surrey exceeds 600,000 tree target with 885,000 planted, but survival rates raise questions

Surrey County Council says more than 885,000 trees have been planted across the county since 2021, beating its original target of 600,000. The figure comes from the council's climate change progress report, which also claims a 60% reduction in the authority's carbon emissions. The county has committed to 1.2 million trees by 2030. The report is not all good news. A recent motion from Elmbridge Borough Council points out that many newly planted trees are dying within a year because of poor aftercare. Residents and councillors argue that survival rates, not just planting counts, should determine whether the tree programme is working. For anyone tracking local climate delivery, the report also mentions energy efficiency upgrades for 1,438 low-income households, including insulation, solar and low-carbon heating. The council says it is broadly on track for its 2030 net zero target, but it also flags supply chain constraints and the need to plan for offsetting remaining emissions.