Royal plan to celebrate ‘Tree-bilee’
PRINCE CHARLES on Monday (17) launched a “Plant a Tree” drive to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee next year.
Under the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) initiative, people will be encouraged to take part in the tree-planting season in October this year through to next year, as a celebration of 70 years since her accession to the throne in February 1952.
“Whether you are an individual having to plant a single sapling in your garden, a school or community group planting a tree, that charity or business intending to plant a whole avenue of trees, or a farmer looking to create new hedgerows, everyone across the country can get involved,” Prince Charles said in a video message.
“There is a reason for this profoundly symbolic act. Planting a tree is a statement of hope and faith in the future. As we approach this most special year, I invite you all to join me to plant a tree for the jubilee – in other words, a Tree-bilee,” he said.
As well as inviting the planting of new trees, the QGC plan will dedicate a network of 70 ancient woodlands across the UK, and identify 70 ancient trees to celebrate the 95-year-old monarch’s 70 years of service to the nation.
Prime minister Boris Johnson said, “Our trees stand at the frontline of our fight against climate change by sustaining our beautiful countryside for generations to come. The Queen’s Green Canopy is a fitting tribute to Her Majesty’s years of service to this country. I urge everyone to get involved.”
SYMBOLIC: The Queen and Prince Charles stand next to the first Jubilee tree on the grounds of Windsor Castle
All the trees planted as part of the QGC drive will be logged on an interactive map. One of the founding partners, Royal Mail, has planted trees in every part of the UK to kickstart the project, but everyone else is being asked to wait until the next planting season in October, giving schools, villages, businesses and individuals the coming summer months to plan.
The Woodland Trust is giving away three million saplings to support the project.
The project is one of many being planned for a UK-wide celebration next year as the Queen reaches the milestone. The monarch has herself planted more than 1,500 trees around the world during her 69-year reign so far.