Westmorland tree scheme reaches 151,000 but Lake District figures unclear

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Nov, 06:01 · Archive

Westmorland and Furness Council says 151,000 trees have been planted towards a target of 250,000.

Westmorland and Furness Council says more than 151,000 trees have been planted towards its One Tree per Resident project, which aims to plant a tree or equivalent hedgerow length for every resident in the area. The total represents 61 per cent of the council's 250,000-tree target.

The council's project page and November nature action update do not give a breakdown for the Lake District or South Lakes. The November 10 update reported more than 150,000 trees planted, while the project page now shows the figure as more than 151,000. The Free Trees for Residents scheme distributed more than 58,000 saplings through collection events in Kendal, Penrith, Appleby, Windermere and Barrow during January and February to schools, landowners, community groups, town and parish councils, and residents. However, the number handed out is not the same as a confirmed count of trees planted at each location.

One community planting event alongside the A595 improvement scheme at Grizebeck saw residents plant nearly 500 trees and shrubs, but the council did not specify how many were included in the running total. The council adopted a nature action plan in October 2025, setting out a ten-year programme across six themes including habitat restoration and species recovery, and has funded four organisations through its Nature Recovery Fund.

How it is being reported

• Westmorland tree scheme passes 151,000 but Lakes figures unclearMore than 151,000 trees have been planted towards a council's one-tree-per-resident goal.NW Evening Mail · 15 Nov, 05:00
• Westmorland tree scheme passes 151,000 but Lakes figures unclearMore than 151,000 trees have been planted towards a council's one-tree-per-resident goal.Westmorland Gazette · 15 Nov, 05:00

In this story: Westmorland and Furness Council · Lake District · South Lakes · Kendal · Penrith · Windermere · Grizebeck

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