Do not boast about trees to be planted, only about those still alive after 5 years

My local council has just ammounced 34,000 trees to be planted in the next twelve months.

This is the modern version of the emperors new clothes. It is the number that are establishing well over the next 1,2,3,4,5 years that are importatnt. There is no point planting trees unless they establish and can look after themselves.

In addition these trees will not make a significant contribution to mitigating global warming for 20-30 years. The focus should be on existing semi, young mature and mature trees, retaining these and ensuring they are happy and not stressed.