As part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations to mark The Queen70 years on the throne, Royal the celebrations will include a special “Tree of Trees” erected at Buckingham Palace.
The impressive sculpture is part of a series of projects, events and initiatives across the country to mark the monarch’s seven decades on the throne.
What is the “Jubilee Tree of Trees”?
The Jubilee Tree of Trees is a huge 70ft tree sculpture made up of 350 individual saplings of native British tree species.
The sculpture, which will be the height of three giraffes, was designed by renowned British architect Thomas Heatherwick, whose past designs include London’s Coal Drops Yard and the 16-tonne Olympic cauldron that opened the London 2012 Games.
The main body of the sculpture is made from reclaimed and new steel, sourced from local suppliers across the country.
Branches of wood will spring from its upper branches, each containing aluminum pots engraved with the queen’s cipher containing the saplings, creating a “tree of trees”.
It will be partly made from old surplus steel and materials from UK suppliers to minimize transport, energy consumption and waste.
The Tree of Trees reflects the planting of over one million trees as part of the Queen’s Green Canopya tree planting initiative created to mark the Queen’s Jubilee which invites people across the UK to ‘plant a tree for the Jubilee’.
Heatherwick said: “The structure is coming together from workshops and nurseries across the country in an incredible community campaign that is literally changing the landscape of our nation.”
The Royal Planting of Trees is often used to commemorate official visits – during her reign the Queen planted over 1,500 trees around the world.
When will it be open?
The Tree of Trees will also serve as the main beacon at Buckingham Palace during Jubilee celebrations.
It will be lit during a special ceremony on the evening of Thursday, June 2, in the expected presence of certain members of the royal family.
A palace spokeswoman said: “This will take the form of a lighting installation featuring the Queen’s Green Canopy Tree Tree sculpture and projections across the front of Buckingham Palace.
“This innovative new way of participating in beacon lighting will reflect the Royal Family’s long history of advocating for environmental causes.”
She added: “It’s 21 meters tall, that’s the height of three giraffes.”
How can you see it?
The Tree of Trees will be erected outside Buckingham Palace as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and will be on view throughout the June bank holiday weekend.
Once the structure is dismantled, the saplings that form it will be donated to community groups, charities and organizations in recognition of their service, ready for use when the next tree planting season begins in October.
What is the Queen’s Green Canopy Initiative?
The Queen announced the launch of her Green Canopy initiative in May last year, calling on members of the public across the UK to plant a tree when the planting season started in autumn.
Last month she said she was “deeply touched” by the public’s efforts as it was revealed that more than a million trees had been planted in her name.
In a written message, she said: “As the planting season draws to a close, I send my sincere thanks to everyone across the country who planted a tree to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee.” said the queen in a written message.
“I am deeply touched that so many community groups, schools, families and individuals have made their own unique contribution to the Green Canopy initiative.
“I hope your Jubilee trees will bloom and grow for many years to come, for future generations to enjoy.”
As well as inviting new trees to be planted, The Queen’s Green Canopy will dedicate a network of 70 Ancient Woodlands across the UK and identify 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate the Jubilee.
