Half a million trees to be planted in England in three years, says government

Newly planted tree saplings in protective tubes in a field in north London. Under the plans, local groups will be given new funding for restoring natural landscapes. Photograph: Jack Jango/Alamy

Half a million trees will be planted across England in the next three years to protect against extreme weather, the environment secretary, Angela Eagle, will pledge on Wednesday morning.

Mayors, local authorities, charities and grassroots groups will be given new funding and responsibilities for restoring natural landscapes such as wetlands, river edges and meadows, which can provide natural flood management and reduce the damage done by droughts.