Watford’s tree planting success continues – with support from Watford FC’s away kit sales

This is thanks to thousands of new trees already delivered across the town — and further support now being provided through Watford FC’s 2025/26 away kit sales.

As part of the club’s commitment to sustainability, 50p from every away shirt sold this season will go directly towards the Your Tree Our Future initiative, a joint project between Watford Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council. This means a new tree will be planted for every three away shirts sold.

To further reflect the club’s sustainability effort, the kit is made from recycled polyester and is the first sustainable shirt the team have ever worn.

The contribution from Watford FC will support new planting during the 2026/27 season, enabling the council to expand the reach of the programme and continue delivering environmental improvements across parks, residential areas and public highways.

Since launching the ambitious target in 2020 to plant 20,000 trees in Watford by 2026 — a goal achieved two years ahead of schedule — the council’s tree planting achievements to date include:

• 14,000 trees distributed to residents through community giveaways in 2022
• A further 9,024 trees were claimed by Watford residents in 2023, and 5,000 in each of 2024 and 2025 respectively
• Almost 400 street trees planted along roads and highways since 2021
• Over 1,000 trees planted in parks to improve shade, visual appeal and biodiversity
• 158 new trees introduced in neighbourhood areas in 2025
• 3,000 saplings planted in Whippendell Wood, and 100 at Lea Farm Recreation Ground in 2025

This investment has already increased Watford’s overall canopy cover to 18.2% — 2% higher than the national average — and contributes to Hertfordshire’s wider goal of planting 1.8 million trees by 2030. These trees are expected to remove around 125,000 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere over their lifetime.

Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “It’s fantastic that Watford FC are working with us to plant new trees locally. I’m really grateful to the club for supporting the environment in this way. They continue to lead by example – aiming for net zero by 2040 and a 50% carbon cut by 2030.

“When I was elected, I set out in my manifesto to plant 20,000 trees by 2026 in our town. Watford has already exceeded this target 2 years ahead of time. This partnership builds on that success and strengthens our commitment to a greener future.”

Councillor Ian Stotesbury, Portfolio Holder for Sustainability, said: “It's so important that we all have access to thriving green spaces and we continue working to support nature. Together we can achieve so much, and I’m thrilled that Watford FC is once again showing its commitment as the original family club by helping to plant more trees across our town, benefitting both our residents and the environment.”

Tarang Panchal, head of procurement and sustainability at the club, said: "We have an ambition to be one of the most sustainable, green football clubs in the UK, and the new away kit is very much aligned with this vision."

While the scheme is currently closed for new tree requests this year, residents can join the waiting list to receive an email notification when it reopens next year at hertscc365.sharepoint.com/sites/yourtreeourfuture.