Ambitious plans to increase the tree coverage across Leicestershire are growing even bigger, after Leicestershire County Council announced it was increasing the target from 700,000 to one million trees by 2032.
The new goal builds on the previous pledge of planting a tree for every person in the county - a target that has already seen substantial progress, with more than 500,000 planted so far.
By committing to planting or helping to plant one million trees by 2032, we're doubling down on our promise to enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, and create greener spaces for all communities.
Each tree planted helps biodiversity, supports wildlife, reduces flood risk, and provides us all with cleaner air and greener places to enjoy. We’re excited to work with local communities to see this vision take root and help to create a greener and more resilient future for Leicestershire.
Person:Councillor Adam Tilbury, cabinet member for environment and flooding
The council supports the initiative by planting trees directly, applying for funding or giving away tree planting kits. In 2025, the free trees scheme gave away more than 50,000 trees and hedge plants to farmers, landowners, community groups, parish councils and schools in a bid to encourage more tree planting across Leicestershire.
The free tree packs, supplied in partnership with the Woodland Trust, are designed to help renew and restore existing woodland and vegetation, as well as replacing trees which have been affected by diseases such as ash dieback.
The expanded tree planting programme will include:
- Woodland creation and expansion in county parks and public spaces
- “Tiny forests” in towns and villages to connect people with nature
- Hedgerow planting and roadside tree schemes
- Community-led planting through free sapling packs for schools, parish councils, farmers, and nature groups, supported by partners such as the Woodland Trust
- Ongoing replacement of trees lost to ash dieback
To track progress, the council’s interactive tree map - originally introduced for the first 700,000 saplings - will be updated to reflect planting as the programme advances. Residents, community groups, landowners, and schools are encouraged to add their plantings to the tree map and help the total rise towards the target.
The new tree target supports 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. It aims to restore and link habitats, while also bringing wider benefits like reducing flood risk and helping tackle climate change.
Led by Leicestershire County Council as the responsible authority, the strategy was developed through extensive consultation, marking a significant step in supporting biodiversity and nature recovery in the county.
More information about trees in the county is available on our trees pages.