A council has revealed its plans to increase the amount of trees covering Watford over the next few years.

Watford Borough Council is planning on increasing the town's tree canopy cover from 18 per cent to 20 per cent over the next ten years as part of a Tree and Woodland Strategy agreed at a Cabinet meeting earlier this month.

The council says it will achieve this by planting large numbers of trees in green spaces and woods across the town.

Watford’s older tree population will continue to be maintained and conserved for future generations, the council said.

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “I’m delighted that we’ve agreed to plant lots more trees in our town. Trees provide massive benefits for our environment and help make our air cleaner. The new trees won’t just be in our award winning parks, woodlands and open spaces but also on local streets.

"We are working hard with local community groups, businesses and Veolia to make our parks and green spaces even better. I am determined to make Watford a greener place to live and work."

Hillingdon Times:

Peter Taylor by a tree in Cassiobury Park

The council currently manages thousands of trees across 506 hectares of public open space including the woodlands of Whippendell Wood, Harebreaks Wood, Albans Wood and woodland areas in Oxhey Park, and Orchard Park.

Whippendell Wood accounts for a large percentage of the current canopy, but the council says there are opportunities to increase this cover in other parts of the town, including parks and playing fields.

Watford also has 5,320 trees on its streets, which is set to be boosted with more planting.

For more information about Watford’s local green spaces, please visit www.watford.gov.uk/parks.