THE PRINCE OF WALES LAUNCHES ANCIENT CANOPY TO BE DEDICATED TO THE QUEEN

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Patron of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC), has unveiled a nationwide network of 70 Ancient Woodlands and 70 Ancient Trees to be dedicated to Her Majesty in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee.

• A UK-wide network of 70 Ancient Woodlands and 70 Ancient Trees to be unveiled
• The chosen locations reflect a range of themes – Royal, history, children, education,literature/creative arts, science, conservation, communities, health and wellbeing

To mark the launch, The Prince of Wales recorded a video message under one of the Ancient tree dedications – the old Sycamore at Dumfries House in Scotland. His Royal Highness said:

“…I am delighted to have the opportunity to launch this project in the grounds of
Dumfries House under the majestic branches of this old Sycamore, which pre-dates the very
House itself, having grown from seed more than 420 years ago. Planted in 1599, during the
reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King James VI, it is remarkable that this ancient tree is as old
as Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Caravaggio’s David and Goliath.

These working woodlands and magnificent trees span our nation’s amazing landscape
and exist for everyone to enjoy. The Ancient woodlands and trees can be found in urban as
well as rural environments, from National Parks to residential areas, representing the unique
diversity of all corners of the United Kingdom.

Trees and woodlands have a profound significance for us all – their steadfast and
reassuring presence a reminder of our long serving Sovereign and her enduring dedication.
Let us ensure that in her name we can now protect and strengthen this wonderful living
Canopy for the next seventy years and, hopefully, way beyond. And, above all, let us ensure
that future generations can celebrate and enjoy them.”

Established over hundreds of years, these irreplaceable habitats are rich in their natural and social history and ecology and have formed the backdrop to important moments in the history of our four nations. All have a unique story to tell – some are famous specimens, while others have local significance as natural wonders throughout our neighbourhoods.

By sharing the stories behind the Ancient woodlands and trees, as well as the incredible efforts that are made to protect them, The Queen’s Green Canopy aims to raise awareness of these treasured habitats and the importance of conserving them for future generations.

The Ancient Tree dedication marks the start of a long-term project to propagate material to ensure that the genetic resource and unique characteristics of some of the UK’s most important trees is preserved.

In addition to the old Sycamore in Scotland, pictures of dedications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been released to mark the launch, bringing to life key themes.

In England, the atmospheric Yew Tree framing the North Door on St Edward’s Church, Stow-on-the-Wold, illustrates the influence that trees have had on the world of literature and the creative arts. According to legend, it is said that the author JRR Tolkien was inspired by the Ancient Yew for the mesmerising description of The Doors of Durin in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Fellowship of the Ring. The Yew is forever immortalised as a mysterious portal into a magical fantasy world.

The statuesque original Bramley Apple tree in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, planted over200 years ago, is a reminder of the plight of the UK’s orchards and an educational example of the crucial role that fruit trees play in biodiversity. Vast tracts of fruit trees have been lost since 1900, decreasing habitat and food sources for British flora and fauna. The Bramley Apple has a legacy as one of the country’s best loved ingredients in pies and crumbles.

In Wales, community spirit centres around an Ancient Oak tree on a housing estate, highlighting the importance of trees as a sense of belonging and identity. The Wyesham Oak takes centre stage on a road bearing its name – Oak Crescent – where residents past and present take pride in their connection to the 1,000-year-old tree which has stood the test of time and development – a steadfast symbol in an everchanging world.

In Northern Ireland, QGC Ambassador Lady Mary Peters, former Olympic athlete and advocate for older people to exercise more, gathered a group of walkers at Hazelbank Park on the shores of Belfast Lough, to promote how outdoor spaces are vital for health and wellbeing. At Hazelbank, visitors can enjoy the Park’s Ancient Oaks and Yew trees with the benefit of wheelchair accessible paths and cycle routes, open all year round.

A full list of the 70 Ancient Woodlands and 70 Ancient Tree dedications is attached. Other notable dedications include:
Royal / history

• Balmerino Sweet Chestnut, Fife – planted by Mary Queen of Scots in 1565
• Boscobel Oak, Shropshire – a descendant of the oak tree where Charles II hid in 1651 which is celebrated to this day by pub names (over 400 “The Royal Oak” pubs in UK)
• Restormel Oak, Duchy of Cornwall – witness to English Civil War which took place around the tree and castle (HRH is the longest serving Duke of Cornwall)
• Sycamore Tree, Dorset – site where the first trade union met – six farmers in 1834
• Yew, Ankerwycke, Wraysbury, Berkshire – alive when the Magna Carta was signed
• Glen Trool – site of the battle in 1307 between Robert the Bruce and Earl of Pembroke (for Edward I)
• Apple tree, Woolsthorpe – inspired Sir Isaac Newton to think about gravity Children / literature / creative arts
• Five Hundred Acre Wood, Sussex – inspiration for 100 Acre Wood in Winnie the Pooh
• The Birks, Aberfeldy – where Robert Burns wrote the song “The Birks of Aberfeldy”
• Black Mulberry, Hampstead – garden where John Keats wrote “Ode to a Nightingale” Conservation / largest / oldest / unusual features
• Yew, Crom Castle – oldest trees in Northern Ireland
• Wild Black Poplar, Powys – the tree was moved after widespread flooding in the 1960s. One of the largest known.
• Yew, Dundonnell House – believed to be 3,000 years old
• Common Yew, St James Churchyard, Denbighshire – it is said John Wesley used the tree as pulpit and gave a sermon

More information on Ancient Woodlands and Trees is available here: https://queensgreencanopy.org/ancient-trees-and-ancient-woodland/

Background

The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. All across the UK people are being invited to “Plant a tree for the Jubilee” to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the nation, which will benefit future generations.

With a focus on planting sustainably, everyone from individuals to Scout and Girl guiding 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.

As well as inviting the planting of new trees, The Queen’s Green Canopy has dedicated a network of 70 Ancient Woodlands across the United Kingdom and identified 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.

Further information about the QGC is available: www.queensgreencanopy.org

The Queen’s Green Canopy Partners Collaboration is central to the QGC. We are proud to work with Cool Earth, The Royal
Horticultural Society, The Woodland Trust, Trees for Cities, The Forest Canopy Foundation, DEFRA, The Tree Council, The Conservation Volunteers & Community Forest Trust.

The Queen’s Green Canopy – Platinum Supporters

The QGC is grateful to the Royal Mail Group as our first Founding Partner. We are also working with Platinum Supporters Coutts, John Lewis & Partners, Waitrose & Partners, Rentokil Initial, Coupa, Regatta and Craghoppers, Bridgepoint, Howdens, Johnnie
Walker, McDonald’s UK & Ireland and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Bags of Ethics by Supreme Creations is 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.
https://queensgreencanopy.org/about-us/qgc-friends-network/

QGC social media channels
Instagram: @queensgreencanopy
Twitter: @QGCanopy
Facebook: @queensgreencanopy
LinkedIn: @queensgreencanopy
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