A vast number of the 5,000 trees planted across North Somerset this year have died.
The combination of extreme weather conditions and the coronavirus lockdown took a toll and in some areas up to 80 per cent of them perished.
The total number of deaths is not known.
North Somerset Council plans to plant 20,000 trees this winter as part of its rewilding project but that may be subject to lockdown restrictions.
Updating scrutiny panel members last week, community and environment service manager John Flannigan said: “We planted the trees in probably the wettest ever February. We had perhaps the driest spring we’ve ever had. That combination has had an impact on the trees we planted.
“We’ve been monitoring the results. We’d expect a 30 per cent death rate. In some areas we’ve had up to an 80 per cent failure rate. That’s beyond our control and is weather dependent.”
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His report to the meeting blamed the extremes on climate change, and said it illustrates the impact on the natural environment.
He said in areas where significant numbers of trees died, they will be replaced.
“We watered trees but it’s very difficult to water 5,000 trees, especially during a Covid outbreak,” added Mr Flannigan.
“Another part of our strategy was to engage with local residents to help us water and weed the trees and put down mulch. Covid prevented us working with volunteers.
“If you’d asked me at the start what you would not want to happen after planting those 5,000 trees, it all happened.
“It’s one of things when you manage a natural environment you have to deal with.
“Our objective is to plant 20,000 trees this winter.”
The council has also let 100,000sqm of grass grow tall, a quarter of the planned total for the rewilding project.
