A major tree planting initiative in Cornwall has secured £8.7m in government funding to support its expansion efforts. The Forest for Cornwall scheme, which launched in 2019, has already achieved the milestone of planting more than two million trees across the county as part of broader efforts to address climate change impacts.
The additional funding is intended to help Cornwall Council progress toward its goal of establishing 8,000 hectares of new tree canopy coverage by 2035. The initiative has involved tree planting activities in diverse settings including residential communities, agricultural land, educational institutions, and urban streets throughout the region. According to project officials, the scheme contributes to England’s wider objective of reaching 16.5% canopy and woodland cover nationally by 2050.
Local government representatives cited multiple benefits of the expanded tree canopy. The initiative is expected to enhance landscapes in towns and villages while providing environmental advantages such as improved air quality and temperature regulation. Agricultural participants have reported increased farm resilience through the program, while wildlife habitats have been created for various species including birds, mammals, and insects. Officials noted that expanded tree cover supports water management, reduces soil erosion, and strengthens climate adaptation capabilities in vulnerable coastal areas.
The latest grant from Defra’s Trees Programme was allocated following damage to established trees earlier in the year during severe weather. One participating farmer reported that program support and coordination made large-scale tree planting feasible on their holding, resulting in the creation of an agroforestry network that is already generating benefits.
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