The Queen’s Green Canopy To celebrate

By Royal Invitation

To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen in 2022, the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative invites people across the nation to plant trees

Her Majesty The Queen plants a tree at Mill Hill School in London in 1957, during the early years of her reign.

Residents of the UK, young and old alike, are being invited to ‘Plant a tree for the Jubilee’ this autumn as part of a huge project to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is an initiative that aims to help the environment by planting trees sustainably and, in doing so, create a lasting legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the nation over the past 70 years.

The Queen and The Prince of Wales planted the first Jubilee tree, a Verdun oak, in the grounds of Windsor Castle earlier this year. Verdun oaks were first planted in the UK as memorials, following World War I, with acorns collected at the battlefield of Verdun. As Patron of the QGC, The Prince of Wales describes tree planting as a “profoundly symbolic act” and a “statement of hope and faith in the future”.

The Queen has been planting trees since she acceded to the throne in 1952, and during her reign she has planted more than 1,500 trees worldwide. Now, individuals, schools, community groups, charities and businesses are all being encouraged to get planting – whether it’s a compact fruit tree on a patio or a group of trees to line a road or bring greenery to a local area. Sir Nicholas Bacon, Chair of the QGC, says: “I cannot think of a more appropriate way to honour Her Majesty’s 70 years of dedicated service to this country than to plant trees. This initiative is an opportunity to bring the nation together to celebrate her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 while making a difference to the environment. The aim is to encourage everyone to plant the right trees in the right place, at the right time, so they continue to thrive for generations to come.” As part of this celebratory initiative, the QGC will also dedicate a UK network of 70 ancient woodlands and identify 70 ancient trees. Additionally, a group of young people will be given the chance Above HM The Queen to complete a pilot training programme and The Prince of Wales for planting and managing trees. n plant a Verdun oak at Windsor Castle. Left Planting a sweet For more information and to see Jubilee chestnut in Hyde Park trees being added to the QGC map, visit for the Golden Jubilee. queensgreencanopy.org

Trees to Plant for Celebratory Colour

If you’re unsure what to choose as your Jubilee tree, keen gardener and tree enthusiast Rupert Eley has four recommendations for spectacular autumn colour. Rupert took over the garden and arboretum at East Bergholt Place in Suffolk in 1995 and, together with his wife Sara, opened on-site plant centre The Place for Plants a year later. Browse the collection at placeforplants.co.uk

Sorbus commixta ‘Olympic Flame’

Sorbus are very manageable trees. This new variety has white flowers in spring, while in autumn its leaves turn a superb orange-red and clusters of bright fruits appear. Its name reflects its columnar habit, and it reaches 6m tall.

Acer freemanii ‘Autumn Blaze’

Quick growing and good natured, this tree is on the larger side, growing to over 12m, but you can’t walk past it in autumn. On windy days its fluttering red leaves with paler white undersides are a particularly handsome sight.

Malus hupehensis

A lovely crab apple tree with abundant white blossom in spring and glossy red fruits in autumn. The cherry-like fruits cling onto the branches well into winter. Height: 5m.

Sassafras albidum

An extraordinary tree with three different leaf shapes that turn shades of orange, yellow and red in autumn. Beware – this tree will sucker if left unrestricted. Height: 12m.