Ambitious plans to increase the tree coverage across Leicestershire continue to grow, with Leicestershire County Council giving away almost 30,000 trees over the last year.

The trees are made available through several schemes, including a direct giveaway by the council, and a larger scheme run in partnership with the Woodland Trust. This makes trees and hedge plants available to help renew and restore existing woodland and vegetation, as well as replacing trees which have been affected by diseases such as ash dieback.

In all schemes, the tree packs are available to anyone who lives in Leicestershire with suitable areas of land to plant – including community groups, parish councils and schools, as well as landowners and farmers in a bid to encourage more tree planting across the county.

The total number of trees and hedge plants given away through all the schemes during the period from April 2025 to March 2026 was 29,210. More than 14,500 of those trees and hedge plants were claimed by schools and community groups.

Councillor Adam Tilbury, cabinet member for environment and flooding, said: "It's fantastic to see so many residents, schools and community groups getting involved in planting trees across Leicestershire. The free trees schemes make it easier for people to take practical action for nature, helping to restore habitats, replace trees lost to disease and create greener, healthier places for future generations.

"Increasing tree cover is vital for reducing flood risk and supporting wildlife, and this continued uptake shows the real appetite across the county to play a part."

Earlier this year, the council announced that it was increasing its tree planting target from 700,000 to one million by 2032, by planting trees directly, applying for funding or giving away tree planting kits.

The free trees schemes and the increased tree target support the ambitions of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland, which was launched in July 2025. It sets out a clear plan for identifying and prioritising areas where nature can recover, and aims to restore and link habitats, while also bringing wider benefits like reducing flood risk and helping tackle climate change.

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Leicestershire is one of the least wooded areas of the country, with around six per cent woodland – well below the national average of 10 per cent.

More information about trees in the county is available at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/trees