PUPILS at a junior school in Wells have planted a very special tree as part of a national initiative to launch the Queen’s Green Canopy.
The Queen's Green Canopy encourages people across the UK to 'plant a tree for the Jubilee'.
70 celebration trees will be gifted to selected primary schools by The Queen's Green Canopy.
The Queen will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee next year to mark 70 years since she came to the throne.
Annie Maw, HM lord-lieutenant of Somerset, joined children at St Cuthbert’s CofE Junior School in Wells for a special ceremony which saw a Pyrus Chanticleer tree planted in the school grounds on Wednesday, October 13.
Mrs Maw said: "I am proud and delighted to gift this beautiful celebration tree on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen to St Cuthbert’s CofE Junior School as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.
"Today’s occasion marks the beginning of this year’s tree planting season this year, and as someone who is absolutely committed to the project, I very much hope that schools all around Somerset will follow suit enthusiastically and plant their own tree."
Helen Mullinger, Headteacher at St Cuthbert’s CofE Primary School, said: "We feel very privileged that St Cuthbert’s Junior School has been chosen to have a tree gifted to us by the Queen’s Green Canopy to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
"Our children are very environmentally aware and wholeheartedly support this important initiative which promotes the planting of trees across the country."
Councillor Clare Paul, Somerset County Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Education said: "This scheme not only provides a fitting legacy for Her Majesty the Queen’s long reign but has a positive impact on the environment.
"Planting new trees benefits our air quality and helps us to combat the climate emergency.
"I hope residents of Somerset will get involved in the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative and plant trees to benefit the generations to come."
All schools are encouraged to get involved and plant Jubilee trees, with free tree packs available through the Woodland Trust and The Conservation Volunteers.
The QGC encourages tree planting to take place from October to March to optimise the chance of trees surviving.
As part of the Queen's Green Canopy's education programme, a special national edition of the Royal Forestry Society Junior Forester Award has been created for the Jubilee year.
The QGC Junior Forester Award aims to inspire knowledge of the benefit of trees and equip young people with the practical ability to assist in woodland management in their schools and local communities.
All Jubilee trees can to be added to the QGC Map, which will create a digital record of the green canopy of tree planting projects across the country: https://queensgreencanopy.org/map-education-hub/qgc-map/
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