In 2021, Queen Elizabeth II helped launch a tree-planting tribute; by its conclusion in 2023, more than three million trees had been planted in her name

Tree planting can create a lasting connection between people, communities and the natural environment. It can also provide a way to commemorate important moments and individuals while supporting wildlife and helping address climate change.

A nationwide initiative created to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee became a large-scale living tribute to the late monarch. Known as The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC), the project encouraged people and organisations across the nation to plant trees in her honour.

A tree-planting tribute for the Queen

The Queen’s Green Canopy was launched in 2021 as part of the celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. The initiative invited communities, charities, councils, cities, businesses and homeowners to plant healthy native trees that would be suited to thrive.


People who planted trees were asked to add them to a special interactive map, creating a record of the trees planted as part of the initiative.

The original plan was for the project to conclude in December 2022. However, following the Queen’s death on 8 September 2022, the initiative was extended.

The Queen’s Green Canopy was extended into 2023

The official tree-planting season in the UK runs from October through March. Although the QGC had initially been scheduled to finish in December, King Charles III extended the scheme until the end of March 2023.

The extension also gave people an opportunity to plant trees in memory of Queen Elizabeth II.

In a statement, the QGC said:

'Following the wishes of our Patron, His Majesty The King, The Queen's Green Canopy initiative will be extended to the end of March 2023 to give people the opportunity to plant trees in memoriam to honour Her Majesty.'

The initiative also described the planting effort as a lasting legacy. The QGC said:

'The Queen's Green Canopy is proud to be creating a living legacy with over a million trees planted in Her Majesty's name across the nation during the first planting season, October 2021 to March 2022. The extension of the QGC initiative will build on this legacy and serve as a lasting tribute to Her Majesty's extraordinary service to her country and her people.'

By the conclusion of the initiative in 2023, more than three million trees had been planted in Queen Elizabeth II’s name.

Communities joined the planting effort

The project was not limited to one type of organisation or group. Communities, charities, local councils, cities, businesses and individual homeowners were all encouraged to participate.

The emphasis was on planting healthy native trees capable of thriving in their surroundings. Participants were also encouraged to record their trees using the initiative’s interactive map.

Through this approach, individual plantings became part of a wider nationwide tribute.

The Queen’s Green Canopy Garden at Chelsea

The importance of trees and woodland was also highlighted at the 2021 autumn Chelsea Flower Show.

The RHS Queen’s Green Canopy Garden, designed by David Dodd, was created to demonstrate the importance of trees and woodlands to the environment while also celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

The garden included three hay bale sculptures and more than 3,500 plants. It also featured a colourful wildflower meadow intended to provide a space for wildlife.

Another major feature was a woodland composed of 21 trees, including multi-stemmed Swedish Birch, Hornbeam and Beech. The woodland was described as towering and green and purple in appearance.

A legacy connected to trees

Tree planting was also something Queen Elizabeth II had participated in during her reign. She planted more than 1,500 trees around the world.

The Queen’s Green Canopy therefore connected a nationwide Platinum Jubilee tribute with an activity that had been part of the Queen’s public life.

The initiative also highlighted the broader role trees can play. Planting trees is something gardeners can do to help tackle climate change and support wildlife.

From its beginning in 2021 through its extended conclusion in March 2023, The Queen’s Green Canopy transformed tree planting into a nationwide commemorative project. With more than three million trees ultimately planted in Queen Elizabeth II’s name, the initiative created a living tribute intended to continue beyond the celebrations themselves.

Source: House Beautiful

FAQs

1. What was The Queen’s Green Canopy?

The Queen’s Green Canopy was a nationwide tree-planting initiative created to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. It encouraged people and organisations to plant trees in her honour.

2. When did The Queen’s Green Canopy begin?

The initiative began in 2021. The first planting season ran from October 2021 to March 2022.