HRH The Prince of Wales plants tree at Westonbirt Arboretum for The Queen’s Green Canopy

The Prince of Wales joined staff at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum to plant a tree in honour of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC). 

His Royal Highness planted the aptly named, Monarch Birch tree ‘Betula maximowicziana’ on the Downs at Westonbirt Arboretum. The tree has been propagated from a seed at the arboretum and was collected from the wild, in its native home of Toyama, Japan in 2019, on an expedition led by colleagues from the University of Oxford. 

The Queen’s Green Canopy 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.” With a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC will encourage planting of trees to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, which will benefit future generations. Her Majesty The Queen visited the arboretum as a Princess on 14 May 1944 with Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. This is noted in an entry in the curator’s notebook. 

Geraint Richards, Head Forester, Duchy of Cornwall stated, “It is exciting for The Queen’s Green Canopy to have our Patron, His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, plant a tree at the world-renowned Westonbirt Arboretum.  We know that countless people will enjoy this beautiful birch and will hopefully be inspirited to plant their own tree for the Jubilee.”   

The Prince of Wales dug the soil and placed the tree in its new home outside the Great Oak Hall, surrounded by volunteers and staff from Westonbirt and the arboretum’s charity, The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum. This planting contributes to Forestry England’s programme of planting a diverse range of trees from many locations around the world that are matched to future climate.

Andrew Smith, director at Westonbirt Arboretum, said, “It is very fitting to have HRH plant a tree here as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy and to help us celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service. Planting initiatives like QGC are brilliant for inspiring people to connect with trees and nature, something we are very passionate about here at Westonbirt.”

During his visit, The Prince of Wales also presented the Royal Forestry Society’s Long Service award to Westonbirt’s Head Arborist, Richard Townsend, who joined Westonbirt in August 1988. He started as an Arboretum Craftsman and soon became a highly respected tree climber and was once crowned European Pole Climbing Champion. 

His Royal Highness last visited the arboretum in 2016 to view the recently completed Welcome Building, Tree Top Walkway, Tree Management Centre and landscape restoration.

Taking part in The Queens Green Canopy continues to support Westonbirt’s vision to be a world leader in trees, inspiring people through education, participation and conservation.