The number of new trees planted across Hertfordshire by the end of 2025/6 is expected to top 128,000, county councillors have been told.

Included in the expected annual total are 94,000 trees that have been given to residents, as part of the county's Your Tree Our Future project.

A further 24,547 trees have been – or will be – planted as part of 19 projects, on private and public land.

And a further 660 trees are scheduled to have been planted on two county council sites by the end of March, as well as a further 363 along the county's highways.

The data was presented to county councillors on Monday (January 26), at a meeting of the environment, transport and growth cabinet panel.

According to a report presented to the panel, there were 91,000 trees planted across the county in 2024/25.

In July last year, it says, the newly-elected Liberal Democrat administration made a commitment to enable the planting of an additional 10,000 trees.

However, the actual number of trees has exceeded the 101,000 target.

And that has been welcomed by the county council's executive member for environment, transport and growth, Cllr Paul Zukowskyj, who points to trees as an integral part of our landscape – and to their role in soaking up carbon. 

The bulk of the trees were made available for planting in the county through the Your Tree Our Future tree giveaway scheme, where any resident can apply.

This year, the scheme run in partnership with the county's district and borough councils received applications from more than 5,000 Hertfordshire residents, for 94,000 trees, 25,000 trees more than the previous year.

In addition, says the report, the council's Countryside and Rights of Way service has engaged with 30 public and private landowners to develop "bespoke tree planting schemes".

As a result, a further 24,547 trees are expected to be positioned in 19 planting projects over the winter months.

Meanwhile, of the 363 trees expected to be planted alongside the county's highways, the report suggests 260 will be in new locations.

According to the report, the council has committed to extending the Your Tree Our Future scheme – which had been due to end this year – for a further two years, at least.

And, it says, council officers are already exploring the potential for a "significant woodland creation project" on council land in the coming years.

At the meeting, Liberal Democrat Cllr Stuart Roberts said it was "positive" to be planting so many trees – and that it was "something to be celebrated".

But he did ask about the "success" of the trees planted and the measures in place to measure the ongoing management of the trees planted.

In response, council officer Tony Bradford said that where the trees were delivered through contractors, the contract was clear in terms of "establishment", rather than planting.

And he highlighted terms relating to after-care and replacement in the event of failure.

With Your Tree Our Future, he stressed that the trees were species that were found in Hertfordshire, and that residents were given access to a video guide to planting.

He said surveys showed a 90 to 98% planting rate – and a 70 to 80% survival rate.

In addition, Cllr Zukowskyj said that as well as the planting of the Your Tree Our Future trees, the scheme was also a valuable "gateway" activity to engage with residents around the idea of environmental pluses and doing something to benefit their local area and immediate environment.