Three special trees from The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) ‘Tree of Trees’ - which stood tall as a message of hope, regeneration and optimism to the nation and the world as part of the Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations – are to be planted in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Nene Park Trust, Abbey People and Wisbech Adventure Playground were recently announced by The QGC as recipients of these special trees in The Queen’s name, which are gifted in a pot embossed with Her Majesty’s cypher.
Presented by Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Julie Spence, the trees will be planted at dates to be confirmed. They will then become part of the living legacy in honour of Her Majesty, joining over a million trees already planted across the UK as part of The QGC which was created to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
The QGC initiative has been extended to the end of the planting season in March 2023 to give people an opportunity to plant trees.
Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, The QGC ‘Tree of Trees’ sculpture sought to put the importance of trees at the heart of this historic milestone to celebrate Her Majesty, who planted more than 1,500 trees all over the world throughout her 70-year reign.
During the summer, the trees were cared for by Barcham’s Nursery in Ely ahead of distribution at the start of the planting season in October.
The trees are being gifted evenly across the UK in proportion to the population, with each county receiving at least one tree. The Lord-Lieutenants of each county, who are His Majesty The King’s representatives, have been championing The QGC locally and have selected the recipients of the special trees.
Criteria for the chosen areas included areas with low canopy or high socioeconomic deprivation and those who could help promote a cleaner, greener environment and be in a position to maintain the tree.
Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Julie Spence said: “The Queen’s Green Canopy has been a fitting tribute to Her Majesty’s long reign and we’re delighted to have been awarded three ‘Tree of Trees’ to continue that legacy.
“It was incredible to see how the country paid tribute to the Queen after her death, and anyone who wants to plant a tree in Her Majesty‘s honour has until March 2023 to be part of The QGC and ensure her contribution to public life will continue for many years to come.”
Matthew Bradbury, chief executive at Nene Park Trust, said: “Nene Park Trust is delighted to be gifted a tree from the Queen’s Green Canopy ‘Tree of Trees’. We will be honoured to plant and nurture the tree here at Ferry Meadows as a tribute to Her Majesty, alongside our Jubilee Memorial Community Garden that is currently being created.”
Violet Loveridge from Wisbech Adventure Playground said: "Wisbech Adventure Playground feel honoured to receive a 'Tree of Trees' as a tribute to Her Majesty; the playground is a much-loved part of the community here in Wisbech and the tree will be treasured for years to come."
For more information on The QGC, visit: www.queensgreencanopy.org.
For more information on how you can get involved locally, visit: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/climate-change-energy-and-environment/improving-the-natural-environment/trees-and-woodland/queens-green-canopy-project.
