Memorial trees and trees to commemorate a special occasion

 A living tree makes a wonderful tribute to a loved one, providing a growing memorial that commemorates someone special. Trees can also mark a special occasion such as a wedding, birthday, anniversary or, of course, a national event such as a Coronation.

English Woodlands can supply many different types of trees suitable for this purpose, along with planting accessories. You’ll probably need stakes, compost, mycorrhizal fungi (to establish excellent root health), tree ties and maybe a mulch mat.

It is important to choose the right tree for the right place so that your chosen tree will not only survive, but thrive. Our experts are available to provide advice and guidance for those who require assistance. We can suggest trees that will be appropriate for your site together with advice regarding planting. We also offer a site visit and planting service for those who require this additional facility.

You can view the current range of trees HERE.

Please contact us to ask for help, we love hearing from you!

 

The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, together with The Queen Consort, Camilla, took place on Saturday, 6 May 2023, at Westminster Abbey.

This historic event was the first to take place in almost 70 years. Many individuals as well as parish councils, groups and businesses have already planted trees, and more will be planted in the future to mark this significant royal occasion.

Coronation Living Heritage Fund - open for applications until 11 September 2023

Local Authorities, District and City Councils are eligible to apply for funding under the new Coronation Living Heritage Fund, which commemorates the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. This encourages the creation of green spaces including miniature woodlands in the new 'Miyawaki' style. This dense planting involves careful soil preparation so that native trees that are beneficial to wildlife can be planted on an area as small as a tennis court! It is also suitable for the creation of community orchards. In addition there are Coronation tree packs to provide free or subsidised trees for community schemes.  The latest initiative builds on the launch of the first Coronation Woodlands of 2023 and is intended to encourage the creation of new green spaces within villages, towns and cities. For further information, visit the DEFRA website HERE.

 

The Queen’s Green Canopy was launched back in March 2021 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. It was subsequently extended after her death so that people could plant trees in her memory.

The Prince of Wales, now His Majesty King Charles III, planted the first tree to launch the QGC initiative. Since then, more than three million trees have been planted across the UK in her name, for which King Charles has offered his ‘heartfelt thanks’. The King and Prince of Wales celebrated the end of the QGC scheme by planting the final tree.

King Charles III has championed environmental issues for many years. He first spoke out about his climate concerns at the age of 21 and has supported conservation and environmental causes ever since. Many view His Majesty as a leading environmentalist.

King Charles III is also known to perform a charming ritual during tree planting. He ‘shakes hands’ with every tree he plants, giving a branch a gentle shake in order to wish it well.

Please note: the ideal planting season is during autumn, winter and early spring. English Woodlands supports the QGC advice to: Plan; Plant and Protect. Containerised trees can be planted throughout the year but will require regular watering and close attention during warmer weather.

QGC organisers have announced that there will be a funding scheme to plant specimen trees in each of the 98 lieutenancies within the UK.

English Woodlands supplies top quality trees from our Plant Healthy certified nursery.  We are able to deliver most trees across the country and can also provide a planting service to certain postcodes in the South East. We have a team of experts who can advise you on selecting the right tree for the right location. We offer a bespoke service and can both pick and pack trees for communities, councils and landscape projects. Please email: info@ewburrownursery.co.uk for requests and enquiries about this service.

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.

English Woodlands has therefore created a seven-point guide to help ensure that your King's Coronation tree will thrive:

Seven Golden Rules for Tree Planting 

1.   Aim to maximise biodiversity. Some tree species are better than others at supporting the environment. Scroll down the page for more details.

2.   Select the appropriate tree species for the location, taking into consideration soil type, drainage, exposure and more. You must ensure the conditions are right. English Woodlands can  advise you.

3.   Choose the very best planting site within the chosen location, giving thought to the micro-climate and the space your tree will need in order to grow. 

4.   Plant your tree well so that it thrives and lives to maturity.  Avoid common mistakes, including planting too deeply. You can follow our guide here. There are also some useful videos we  have prepared for you.

5.   Include protection for your tree. English Woodlands stocks a wide range of planting sundries including tree guards, stakes, tree ties and mulch mats. View them here. 

6.   Provide regular maintenance and aftercare, particularly during the next three years. This includes watering, weeding, checking for damage and loosening the ties.

7.   Monitor the tree thereafter. It might need some gentle pruning to prevent twigs from rubbing together. You will also want to remove the stake after just a few years.

We are pleased to share photos of just a few trees that were planted as part of the QGC initiative:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The elegant copper beech tree above was supplied by English Woodlands and planted in September 2021 by the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Sir Peter Field, KCVO, FRICS.  The tree was planted on behalf of The Brighton and Hove Members of the Lieutenancy; the Friends of the Three Cornered Copse; and Brighton and Hove City Council. It celebrates the Services to the Country and City of Sir Peter and Lady Field and the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee was celebrated in style at the 2022 Heathfield Show in East Sussex, with a traditional oak tree planted on the show ground to mark the launch of the Queen's Green Canopy initiative. The tree was sponsored by the Woodland Trust and supplied by English Woodlands. The Heathfield Show was proud to welcome Sara Stonor, DL, Vice Lord Lieutenant and President of the Heathfield Agricultural Show; David Allam, DL, the QGC Liaison Officer for East Sussex; Cllr. Mike Robinson, Chairman of Heathfield & Waldron Parish Council; Patrick Coffey, Deputy Chairman; Rita Dingwall, Chairman of Heathfield Agricultural Show and Bill Gower, Vice Chairman, along with other local representatives.

The community of Matfield and Brenchley worked together to plant six native trees supplied by English Woodlands (pictured above). The trees were planted at Maynards Farm, early in 2022. They now stand along a well-used ancient walkway which links the two villages and the planting celebrates the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, forming part of the Queen's Green Canopy incentive. The Deputy Lieutenant Georgie Warner was present to represent the Queen and to say a few words. Each tree was sponsored, whilst labour, stakes and maintenance were provided voluntarily.

Eco and biodiversity credentials of trees

Which trees are best? Any tree is a potential champion, but some offer more than others when it comes to environmental benefits such as carbon storage. Trees take carbondioxide from the air and they lock it up by absorbing it into their structure. In addition, they support hundreds of species including small mammals, insects, birds and invertebrates; absorb water and help prevent flooding; stabilise the soil; filter the wind and they also provide shade to cool the surrounding area.

The following list details the carbon storage aspect of just a few popular trees:

Common name of tree	Life expectancy (rural location)	Potential Carbon storage (at maturity)	Carbon credit score (A-E)
Alder	100	2762kg	B
Apple tree	100	505kg	C
Beech	300	7500kg	A
Cherry (ornamental)	75	685kg	C
Eucalyptus	250	7570kg	A
Hawthorn	150	509kg	C
Hazel	100	2700kg	B
Holly	300	1836kg	C
Larch	750	5097kg	A
London Plane	350	7423kg	A
Oak	300	7500kg	A
Tulip Tree	300	2377kg	B

                                                 

                                                

Ready to choose a tree?

You can browse the current range of tree species available here. Click the photos for more information.  

               

You are welcome to come and visit us in Cross-in-Hand, near Heathfield, East Sussex. We have an expert team of staff who will be delighted to show you around the nursery and talk you through the various possibilities. There is some useful Visitor information to help you find English Woodlands.

If you need advice please call 01435 862992 or email: sales@ewburrownursery.co.uk