The Queen's Green Canopy

The Queen's Green Canopy (QGC) is an initiative that began in May 2021[1] in the United Kingdom in honour of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. To increase and protect the native tree cover, people will be urged to create this 'special gift' for the Queen, to mark her 70 years on the throne.[2]

The Queen's Green Canopy
Duration1 October 2021 – 31 March 2022 (2021-10-01 – 2022-03-31)
1 October 2022 – end of Jubilee year
Location United Kingdom
Also known as
  • QGC
  • Treebilee
CauseTree planting campaign
Motive
  • Commemorate Platinum Jubilee of the Queen
  • Increase and protect the native tree cover
PatronCharles, Prince of Wales
Websitequeensgreencanopy.org

Background

This initiative is being led by Cool Earth in partnership with the UK Government and the Woodland Trust. Communities, charities, schools, scout groups, councils and landowners are invited to create a network of individual or specimen trees, tree avenues, copses and woodlands. The campaign encourages the planting of healthy native trees that will thrive, enhancing our environment and the landscape for generations to come.[3]

To help the environment and make local areas greener, people are being urged to plant trees across the United Kingdom to create a lasting legacy in honour of the Queen's leadership. In a statement, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:[4]

"Trees have the potential to transform our communities, connect us with nature and provide homes for precious wildlife. They also have a huge role to play in tackling climate change as we build back greener from the pandemic. As we celebrate Her Majesty’s incredible 70 years of service, I encourage everyone to get behind this scheme, and go ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee'."

The Woodland Trust is supplying 3 million saplings free to school and community groups, and a pilot scheme to train unemployed young people to plant and manage trees will also be created under the auspices of the London environmental college Capel Manor College. The initiative is expected to include both individuals planting trees in their gardens and the creation of avenues and copses. Seventy ancient woodlands and 70 ancient trees will also be identified as part of the celebration.[5]

Launch and the Planting season

The Queen's Green Canopy was officially launched in May 2021, in advance of the Jubilee year of 2022.[5][1]

The Queen and Prince Charles planted the first tree in March at Windsor Castle. Charles called it a 'tree-bilee' in a video message and also emphasised the importance of planting the right species in useful places.[5] The two planted another tree at Balmoral Castle on 1 October 2021 to mark the official beginning of the initiative.[6] On 3 October 2021, the first overseas Jubilee Tree was planted by Princess Anne at Hôtel de Charost, residence of the British Ambassador to France.[7] On 30 November 2021, Prince Richard planted the final tree in Rutland's Duke of Edinburgh Memorial Orchard, which was created as a tribute to Prince Philip and is part of the Queen's Green Canopy initiative.[8]

As of January 2022, about 60,000 trees had been planted to mark the Jubilee.[9]

On 11 January 2022, during a visit to Qatar, the Countess of Wessex planted a tree at the British Embassy to commemorate the Queen's Jubilee.[10]

More than one million trees were planted during the first official planting season from October to March. The Countess of Wessex planted an elm tree in the Buckingham Palace garden to mark the end of first planting season. In a message marking the end of the first planting season, the Queen said that she was "deeply touched" by the planting of trees in huge numbers and hoped that the "Jubilee trees flourish and grow for many years to come, for future generations to enjoy".[11]

The first tree planting season ended on 31 March 2021. The second season will start in October 2022 and will run until the end of the Jubilee year.[11]

See also

References
  1. "The Queen's Green Canopy". Cool Earth.
  2. "Queen's Platinum Jubilee: Public urged to plant a tree to help mark monarch's 70-year reign". ITV News. 29 November 2020.
  3. "Britons to plant trees to mark Queen Elizabeth's 70 years on throne". Reuters. 29 November 2020.
  4. Hill, Katie (4 December 2020). "Cool Earth and UK government launch Plant a Tree for the Jubilee initiative". My Green Pod.
  5. Couzens, Jo (15 May 2021). "Campaign launched to mark Queen's Platinum Jubilee". BBC News. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  6. Perry, Simon (1 October 2021). "Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles Team Up for Her First Public Duty in Two Months". People. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  7. Zatz, Sydney (5 October 2021). "Princess Anne wraps up her two-day trip to Paris". Royal Central. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  8. Harby, Chris (1 December 2021). "HRH Duke of Gloucester visits Oakham, Exton and Uppingham and plants trees at Duke of Edinburgh Memorial Orchard, at Rutland Showground, and Uppingham Community College". Rutland and Stamford Mercury. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  9. "Queen's Platinum Jubilee: Celebration plans unveiled by Buckingham Palace". BBC News. 10 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  10. Court Circular
  11. "Queen 'deeply touched' by the planting of a million Platinum Jubilee trees". The Telegraph. 31 March 2022.
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