FOREST Council Chair Julia Gooch said she was “enormously proud” to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by taking part in the planting of seven native trees at Cyril Hart Arboretum last week.

Volunteers from Forestry England (FE) joined Councillor Gooch, Forest Council Vice Chair Cllr Clive Elsmore and Forest of Dean Verderer Sue Middleton to plant wild cherry trees at the arboretum near Speech House in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s 70 years of service to the United Kingdom.

The trees were planted as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) initiative, of which Prince Charles is a patron, which encouraged groups and individuals to ‘plant a tree for the Jubilee’ this spring.

Wild cherry was chosen as it is a British species and is included on historic documents as a tree to plant in the arboretum, based on Dr Cyril Hart’s British Trees in Colour. 

Cllr Gooch said: “The Platinum Jubilee is an historic occasion, and I am enormously proud to be involved in commemorating this very special event by planting seven beautiful Cherry trees that will provide a lasting memory in our District.

“The Queen’s Green Canopy is a great initiative, and I would like to thank Forestry England for their help and advice in choosing and planting the trees that will help to provide enjoyment for residents, both now and in the future.

“I hope that everyone across the Forest of Dean enjoys the Jubilee celebrations being held in their communities and will be able to visit the Cyril Hart Arboretum to see and appreciate this very special tribute to Her Majesty the Queen.”

The QGC was established last year with the aim of creating a network of individual trees, avenues, copse and woodlands to serve as a lasting legacy in honour of the Queen, with a focus sustainable planting.

As well as the new trees, a network of 70 ancient trees and 70 ancient woodlands, including Lady Park Wood on the edge of the Forest of Dean, were dedicated to Her Majesty as part of the scheme.

Recreation Ranger at Forestry England, Emily Fergusson, said: “It’s fantastic to be here on such a momentous occasion. 

“The trees that we are planting are wild cherry, native to Britain, they show good resilience to disease, changes in weather and squirrel damage.

“They also create great habitat and food source for birds and small mammals.”