DEFRA Tree Programme Announcement!
Major new partnership unveiled as national Trees for Climate programme begins next chapter
After planting over 10 million trees since 2020…we’re pleased to announce our national Trees for Climate programme is carrying on for the next four years!
A significant new partnership between England’s Community Forests, the National Trust, The Woodland Trust, and Community Forest Trust will be pushing the programme forward, working together to unlock long-term environmental, social, and economic impacts.
Funded through the national Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Trees Programme, Trees for Climate has planted over 35% of all Government-funded tree planting since 2020, which in turn is having a significant impact on community access to nature, flood prevention, carbon sequestration, nature recovery, local and national economies, and supporting green jobs. We can’t wait to do even better in the years to come!
The announcement comes hot on the heels of the programme’s highly successful sixth year. Throughout the 2025–26 planting season, Trees for Climate delivered substantial tree-planting across the 15 Community Forests, focused around towns and cities where new woodlands are needed most.
Over the past year, the programme:
Planted over 2.5 million new trees and 182,000 metres of hedgerow
Transformed 2,325 of hectares of land into new woodland
Engaged almost 23,000 local volunteers, schools, and land managers in hands-on planting initiatives
Created over 87km of footpaths, making nature and the health and wellbeing benefits it brings more accessible for all.
“Through Trees for Climate, this government is delivering lasting change for communities across England; improving people’s access to green spaces, shading communities, reducing flood risk, and helping us meet our climate goals. “This exciting new partnership – backed by our £1 billion investment in trees and forestry – will benefit people and nature for years to come.”
Nature Minister Mary Creagh