Swanage, Studland and Corfe Castle have marked the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by planting commemorative trees as part of an initiative launched by the Queen herself in 2021.
Over the Bank Holiday weekend in June 2022, towns and villages across Purbeck celebrated the platinum jubilee, but following the Queen’s death, trees have now been planted not only to mark the milestone of her reign but also in remembrance.
The Queen and the then Prince of Wales launched the initiative in the grounds of Windsor Castle in March 2021
Boost tree planting across the UK
The Queen’s Green Canopy project was set up with the aim of boosting the planting of trees across the UK.
The Queen and the then Prince of Wales planted the first tree in the grounds of Windsor Castle in March 2021, to mark the launch of the initiative.
In Prince Albert Gardens in Swanage a holm oak was planted in December 2022
A holm oak for Swanage
In Swanage, a holm oak has been planted in Prince Albert Gardens near the newly restored Prince Albert Memorial – a suitably royal location. Linda Welsh from the Swanage Platinum Jubilee organising committee said:
“Prince Albert Gardens was chosen for its royal connections and also because it was where many celebrated the platinum jubilee back in June, having picnics and listening to music.
“From the money raised by the events including the street party along the High Street, we were able to donate £1,500 to the charity #Willdoes and £500 to the Falklands Association. We were delighted that we also had enough to cover the cost of a commemorative tree and plaque.”
The English oak grown locally from an acorn is planted by Nick Boulter (centre) in Studland on Sunday 27th November 2022
An English oak in Studland’s Tranquillity Garden
In Studland, the parish council decided to honour the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee not only with the beacon lighting, and street party, but also with the planting of an English oak tree in the Tranquillity Garden by Church Road which was organised by the parish council’s environment and tree officer Chrissie Neville.
Chair of Studland Parish Council Nick Boulter, who planted the tree said:
“When sadly the Queen died, we decided that the tree should instead be a commemoration tree
“We chose a really local tree – an English oak grown from an acorn in Studland by two residents who kindly donated it. It was planted at the end of November after having been suitably blessed by our vicar Tony Higgins.”
Rupert Spicer-Short (left) thanks Matt Suttle (right) for his contribution towards the planting of the English oak in Corfe Castle on Saturday 17th December 2022
Corfe Castle planted an English oak in God’s Acre
In Corfe Castle, an English oak was planted in God’s Acre near to the Millennium Sports Field in West Street where a traditional picnic had taken place in June 2022 to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
A number of residents gathered for the small planting ceremony led by Rupert Spicer-Short who had organised the village’s jubilee events earlier in the year.
The English oak tree was provided by Holmes Nurseries and sponsored by the local engineering and quarry company Suttles.
Rupert Spicer-Short said:
“The tree is a commemorative and memorial tree. There’s nothing to say it’s a memorial but now, that is the reality. For most of us, she was the only monarch we had known.
“We chose an English oak because it will be here for many hundreds of years, long after we’ve gone too!”
Matt Suttle, who was on hand to help with the planting, added:
“Corfe Castle is an important place to us as a company with our many links to the village. We like to get involved in the community, so we were happy to help out with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee tree.”
Further information
- More about the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative is on its website
