70 Trees for 70 Years – final list revealed in honour of HM the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Buckinghamshire Council is delighted to announce the final list of 70 Trees for 70 Years in honour of HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Residents and visitors to Buckinghamshire were asked to nominate their favourite tree or woodland to celebrate the natural beauty of the county, and to support the themes of the Platinum Jubilee.
From ancient trees like the Oak Dell in Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens, to newly planted trees like those at Westcott Venture Park – even trees no longer living, like the one nominated in Naphill Common – there was a huge variety of special trees and woodlands put forward.
Peter Strachan, Buckinghamshire Council’s Lead Member for the Jubilee, said: “The stories that were submitted about why certain trees or areas of woodland are important to people were really touching.
“People spoke about how important their local countryside was to them during the lockdowns, as they could get some respite, enjoy fresh air and exercise, and feel a sense of calm amidst the crisis we were all facing.
“It’s also a place to socialise – for example when lockdown restrictions eased, people gathered for picnics in particular parks or under the shade of large trees, and for this reason the trees now hold fond memories of reconnecting with loved ones.
“Some of the trees represent loved ones lost, like Sally’s favourite, Lower Scrubs woodland, where she walked with her Dad before he died, or Isabelle’s Tree in Beaconsfield, where the Jackson family remember their baby daughter, supported by their local community.
“Seeing the beautiful photography and reading the reasons behind the favourite trees is very moving, and makes me incredibly proud of both the people of Buckinghamshire and our beautiful countryside. It is the responsibility of all of us to protect it for years to come, so that many future generations can continue to enjoy it.”
The Queen’s Green Canopy project encourages the planting of trees 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.
Inspired by this, Buckinghamshire Council wanted to take the opportunity to honour the trees in our county too, and the 70 Trees for 70 Years campaign was created.
The 70 Trees for 70 Years will now be compiled into a photobook which will be available across the county’s libraries later in the year.
Buckinghamshire Council has been supporting The Queen’s Green Canopy and gifted new trees to 236 schools, care homes and nurseries in the county. Residents and community groups across Buckinghamshire have been planting new trees and recording them on the official Queen’s Green Canopy map.
More than 1,380 trees have so far been planted in Buckinghamshire and logged on the Queen’s Green Canopy map, plus the council’s new woodland at Billet Field with over 3,000 new trees which will be added to the map this autumn.
To find out more visit www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and-safety/the-queens-platinum-jubilee