Jubilee Celebrations

The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created as part of celebrations for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, which invites people from across the UK to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’.

Everyone from individuals to Scout and Girlguiding groups, villages, cities, counties, schools and corporates are encouraged to play their part in enhancing the environment by planting trees through to the end of 2022.

With a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC is encouraging tree planting to create a legacy that will benefit future generations, in honour of the Queen’s leadership of the nation.

As well as inviting the planting of new trees, the QGC will dedicate a network of 70 ancient woodlands across the UK and identify 70 ancient trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service. There is also a plan to create dozens of 70-acre woods.

CLA member Sir Nicholas Bacon chairs the QGC Board, which is supported by various organisations, including Defra, Cool Earth, Th e Royal Horticultural Society, Trees for Cities, the Forest Canopy Foundation and the Woodland Trust.

Sir Nicholas is urging all CLA members to get involved. “So far, we have seen everything from single trees planted in urban primary schools to people planting copse of trees, avenues and larger woodlands. It is a marvellous opportunity for individuals to plant a tree and place a plaque on it to represent the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.”

Former CLA President Ross Murray owns and manages a large estate in Monmouthshire and, with several like[1]minded members, has led the call in Wales for land managers to take part in the QGC initiative.

“At Llanover Estate, we are pleased to support the Queens Green Canopy by planting a Jubilee Wood, high in the Brecon Beacons National Park with stunning views over the Usk valley in Monmouthshire.

“Planted in November 2021 with 11,700 trees over 4.6ha, the new wood straddles an ancient tramroad, allowing public access. Species included oak, alder, hazel, birch and rowan, as well as softwoods. Formerly sheep pasture, the environmental benefits of the new planting will be an appropriate acknowledgement of the amazing reign of our monarch and her Platinum Jubilee.”

Ian Pigott is the QGC lead in Hertfordshire and is encouraging all CLA members to get involved in the initiative. “We are very keen to encourage landowners to plant a tree or trees, or a length of hedge, as a legacy, celebrating Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne.

“We are mindful that many trees and hedges may have been planted since the QGC was launched in July last year but may not have been logged on the QGC website. If you have planted in this period, may we encourage you to do so.”

At the Easneye Estate, CLA member Nicholas Buxton is proud to be getting involved. “We are planting 150 trees at a well-known crossroad, which will include hornbeams and oak trees. We are delighted to celebrate this very special occasion.

“We had an opportunity in our landscape to plant trees in an area where our community will be able to readily enjoy them,” Nicholas adds. “My wife put out a notice with a QR code that linked to the Queen’s Green Canopy so that local walkers could see what we are planning, and we have a range of volunteers getting involved in planting the trees.”

As part of this year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, farms and estates are also being invited to lead the nation’s tribute to Her Majesty the Queen by lighting beacons at 9.45pm on 2 June.

This will be the first time a British monarch has marked a Platinum Jubilee – 70 years as sovereign.

More than 1,500 beacons will be lit throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, and one in each of the capital cities of Commonwealth countries, in recognition of the Queen’s long and selfless service.

The beacons will enable local communities, individuals and organisations to pay tribute as part of the official Platinum Jubilee weekend of celebrations from 2–5 June.

CLA members will be at the forefront of this initiative, continuing a long and unbroken tradition of celebrating royal jubilees, weddings and coronations. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons Pageantmaster, Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, says rural communities are leading the way. “Many farmers and landowners are signing up to light a beacon in tribute to Her Majesty the Queen and celebrating this unique occasion.”

Farms and estates wishing to register to participate in the Beacons initiative, which can be a private or public occasion, are being asked to email the following information as soon as possible, and no later than 20 May, to brunopeek@mac.com.

Name of country

Name of county

Name of farm or estate

Beacon location

Address

Name of contact

Email Private occasion: yes/no

Once registered, you will receive updated information about the celebrations over the forthcoming months. There is also information on bonfire beacons and even a special Platinum Jubilee tart recipe.