Plant your British tree for the Queen’s Jubilee
Hurst Rethink invites you to plant a tree to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. We’d love a tree planted for every resident – that’s around 7,000 trees in and around Hurstpierpoint – to celebrate this momentous occasion. We’re asking you to plant a native tree in your garden or on your land to help us reach our target.
Why?
To join a nationwide initiative called the Queen’s Green Canopy to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the throne.
The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. This nationwide programme encourages people from across the United Kingdom to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’. Wherever possible, we encourage people to plant native trees.
The national tree initiative will see trees being planted by individuals, community groups, schools, businesses and councils to create a network of trees that will help support the environment and fight the climate crisis. There will be specimen trees, avenues, copses and woodlands being planted to commemorate The Queen’s 70 years of service to the nation. Existing woodland will also be dedicated to Her Majesty so that forests will be preserved for the future.
Everyone can take part by planting trees until March then from October through to the end of the jubilee year in 2022.
How can I take part?
You can plant a tree in your garden, or, if you’re a member of a local club or group, encourage them to plant trees on their land too. All those who take part will receive a digital plaque from the Queen’s Green Canopy.
There are three steps to take:
- Plan what tree to buy with the help of local experts (ideally not from a garden centre as many of these trees are imported)
- Plant your tree
- Protect it by regular watering and maintaining the ground around it.
Trees need our help to survive, especially during the first few years. You will want your tree to live to maturity – this could be for several hundred years, depending on the species.
Monty Don recently gave a tree planting masterclass on Gardener’s World – check it out on iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00157xp/gardeners-world-2022-episode-1
Check out the seven golden rules for tree planting on the English Woodlands website.
When?
Experts recommend planting trees between October and March, when they are dormant and less likely to be damaged during planting. Everyone who decides to Plant a Tree for the Jubilee is urged to upload their tree details to the interactive QGC Map so that they can become part of the digital legacy and be counted towards our target.
The summer months are a good time to plan your project, ready for planting during the autumn.
FAQs
What species of tree should I plant?
Take a look around your neighbourhood and see what’s thriving for an idea of what might do well. You should also ask your supplier for advice when purchasing on what type of species is recommended based on your location, soil type and how much shade there is.
The best type of tree to plant is a native, locally grown tree. Those that provide food for wildlife are the ones we recommend – for example crab apple, fruit trees such as apple and cherry, rowan trees and spindle.
I’ve heard that tree planting is not the best way to increase biodiversity – is this true?
Natural regeneration, as championed by Knepp Estate in their book ‘Wilding’ is recognised as the best way to improve biodiversity in an area. However many of us don’t have much space to play with and in smaller areas such as gardens, tree planting can be beneficial as long as the tree is native and can be kept healthy.
If you have space larger than a garden that you’d like to improve, it’s well worth looking at natural regeneration. Knepp have a wonderful podcast on the subject, which you can listen to here. If you’d like advice on this, please contact us.
I’ve only got a small garden, can I still plant a tree?
There are plenty of trees that will work in a small garden, for example hawthorn, guelder rose, spindle or apple trees. They will need to be pruned regularly and cared for as you care for other plants in your garden. The suppliers listed at the bottom of this page will be able to advise you.
Where can I buy my tree(s)?
In order to participate you can purchase your own trees from the recommended nurseries below or, if you are a school or community group, you may apply for free saplings from autumn 2021 through the Woodland Trust.
Prices of trees vary greatly, from relatively inexpensive (less than £1) to substantially more depending on factors such as the species and size. It is really important when planning to factor in other costs associated with planting and establishing a tree as well.
Purchasing a tree from a certified nursery will reduce the likelihood of your tree carrying a pest or disease which will not only affect it but can spread to other plants. A nursery with a Plant Healthy certification will have a strong biosecurity standard and their trees are likely to be healthy plants and have high plant health. The OHAS Grower Standard is another certification scheme to look out for when searching for an accredited nursery
Do I need to plant my tree as soon as I buy it?
No. If storing your tree before planting, store it upright sheltered from frost and wind. Lightly spray the roots with water if they appear to be drying out. Or if your tree is in a container, ensure the roots do not dry out by watering.
How do I plant my tree?
There is lots of advice on planting on the Queen’s Green Canopy website, including videos. Read more here.
This page gives more information on native tree heights when fully grown and suitable growing conditions, which can help when choosing a species. Native tree heights – TCV Practical Conservation Handbooks
Also check out this downloadable PDF guide on tree planting from the Treel Council – Tree-planting-guide.pdf (treecouncil.org.uk)
If you would like the help and advice of a local gardener to plant your tree, Brian McAllister of Brian’s Gardens is part of Hurst Rethink and experienced in all aspects of tree planting. You can reach him at bgmcallister@hotmail.com or 07775 610186
Where to buy your tree
We would love you to plant native, locally grown trees wherever possible. These trees are more suited to our local environment and can better support local wildlife.
Garden Sage: You can buy UK grown trees here and take advantage of advice and a planting service from our best local nursery!
Sussex Apple Trees: Peter May, the owner of Sussex Apple Trees, is a fruit tree grower and orchard advisor. He runs courses in orchard planting, orchard care, as well as fruit tree grafting for Brighton Permaculture Trust and Plumpton College. We highly recommend planting fruit trees; they can be ideal for gardens and provide food for both humans and wildlife. We have lots of native Sussex apple varieties, many of which you can buy here.
English Woodlands: This Sussex based supplier is one of the Queen’s Green Canopy approved suppliers. They can provide advice on which tree to plant and aftercare. They have a great range of UK native varieties.
Herons Folly Garden: This Mayfield based nursery has been run organically for over 30 years and supplies local varieties of organic apple trees.
Keepers Nursery: This Kent based supplier specialises in native fruit trees. They have a huge variety available and lots of advice on planting and aftercare.
If you have any questions on this campaign or would like to get involved, please email hurstrethink@gmail.com and one of us will get back to you.