THE QUEEN’S GREEN CANOPY UNVEILS URBAN GREENING PROJECT IN TOWER HAMLETS

Furze Green community planting will create a beautiful space for residents to enjoy
The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) will unveil its first urban greening project at Furze Green
in Tower Hamlets – an area which has high socioeconomic deprivation and one of the
lowest tree canopy cover densities in London – on Saturday 23rd October.
The QGC is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee
in 2022 by inviting people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.
Working in partnership with Trees for Cities, the QGC will bring together the local
community to transform the Furze Green landscape into a leafy oasis. A canopy will form
through the planting of 17 magnificent Jubilee trees to connect the existing green space and
increase the area’s biodiversity, while also creating a special meeting place for people to
gather. As the trees mature, they will create shady, tranquil areas for residents to enjoy.
The environmental and social impact of this project will be significant. The day will
demonstrate the galvanising effect of urban tree planting, and offer a celebration of this
thriving London Borough, bringing together community leaders and diverse groups of all
ages, faiths and beliefs from across Tower Hamlets.

Bromley South Ward, in which Furze Green is located, has one of the lowest canopy cover
densities in London at 12.53% – in comparison to the highest London Borough, Barnet at
27.1%, and 21.87% for the city overall. The imminent construction of a new primary school, two new housing schemes, and the extension of a nearby secondary school makes the need for green space even more urgent.

Aside from the aesthetic enhancement, trees can significantly improve our physical environment through filtering poor air, providing shade and thermal comfort, supporting the management of localised flooding, and increasing biodiversity by creating habitats for wildlife.

Furthermore, trees bring social benefits by increasing people’s connection with nature, enhancing local environments for leisure activities, and improving health and wellbeing.

The importance of access to green space, particularly for physical and mental health, has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to Furze Green, the QGC and Trees for Cities are working together to deliver
community led urban greening projects in all four nations of the UK, targeting areas of
greatest social and environmental need. Further details will be announced in coming
months.

The Jubilee trees planted at Furze Green will be added to the QGC Map, which will create a
digital record of the green canopy of tree planting projects across the country.
https://queensgreencanopy.org/map-education-hub/qgc-map/#/

Background

The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her
Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the United Kingdom
to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.

Everyone from individuals to Scout and Girlguiding groups, villages, cities, counties, schools
and corporates will be encouraged to play their part to enhance our environment by planting trees during the official planting season between October to March. Tree planting will commence again in October 2022, through to the end of the Jubilee year.

With a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC will encourage tree planting to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, which will benefit future generations.

As well as inviting the planting of new trees, The Queen’s Green Canopy will dedicate a network of 70 Ancient Woodlands across the United Kingdom and identify 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.

By inviting everyone to plant considerable numbers of new trees throughout the country,
the QGC seeks to highlight the significant value of trees and woodlands as nature’s simple
but highly effective way to clean the air we breathe, slow the impact of climate change, create important wildlife habitats and improve our general health and wellbeing.

• Throughout Her reign, The Queen has planted more than 1,500 trees all over the
world and has spoken alongside Sir David Attenborough of the importance of trees in
the Earth’s future.
• The QGC is a voluntary and inclusive initiative which is open to participation by
everyone in the UK.
• The QGC is a symbolic gift which involves the voluntary dedication of forests and
woodland – there is no land/title transfer.
• The QGC is a not-for-profit initiative, which has not received Government funding.

QGC key dates

1st NOVEMBER – COP26
As the host of COP26, the UK is leading by example as it brings world leaders together for
key climate talks to be held in Glasgow. At the time of the Summit, people all over the nation will be playing their part to enhance the environment by planting trees to mark The
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

27th November – National Tree Week
The QGC is working with our partners to generate activities to mark National Tree Week, the UK’s largest annual tree celebration.

The Queen’s Green Canopy Partners

Collaboration is central to the QGC. We are proud to work with our partners Cool Earth, The Royal Horticultural Society, The Woodland Trust, Trees for Cities, The Forest Canopy Foundation and DEFRA, The Tree Council and The Conservation Volunteers.

The Queen’s Green Canopy – Platinum Supporters

The QGC is grateful to be working with a select group of Platinum Supporters: Royal Mail
Group, Coutts, John Lewis & Partners, Waitrose & Partners, Rentokil Initial, Coupa, Regatta and Craghoppers, Bridgepoint, Howdens, Johnnie Walker, McDonald’s UK & Ireland.

We are also pleased to be working with Bags of Ethics by Supreme Creations as an Official Supporter.

The Queen’s Green Canopy – QGC Friends Network

A diverse collection of groups located across the UK, our Friends Network is supporting the
QGC, from planting trees to helping inspire the nation to get involved.

Capel Manor College
Country Land & Business Association (CLA)
Clyde Climate Forest
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Earthwatch Europe
Eden Project
EDT Industrial Cadets
English Heritage
Forestry and Land Scotland
Forestry Commission
Green Action Trust
Historic Houses
Horticultural Trades Association (HTA)
National Association of Civic Officers
(NACO)
National Farmers Union (NFU)
National Trust
National Trust for Scotland
Natural England
Natural Resources Wales
National Farmers Union Scotland
Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Royal Forestry Society
Royal Scottish Forestry Society
Scottish Forestry
Scottish Land & Estates
SUGi
The Crown Estate
The National Forest
The Royal Parks
The Wildlife Trusts
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards Royal Warrant Holders Association