Stunning display of photographs and artwork of trees dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II to go on display at Sotheby’s as King Charles unveils nationwide network of ancient woodlands
- King Charles unveiled the nationwide network of trees and woodlands yesterday
- It is dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II in celebration of her platinum jubilee year
- People can see photos and artwork called the Queen’s Green Canopy in Sotheby’s in London, from December 10
It comes after King Charles III, who is patron of the QGC, unveiled a nationwide network of 70 ‘irreplaceable’ ancient woodlands and trees yesterday that are dedicated to the Queen in celebration of her Platinum Jubilee.
The Queen’s Green Canopy organisers said: ‘Established over hundreds of years, these precious and irreplaceable habitats are rich in their natural and social history and ecology and have formed the backdrop to important moments in the history of our four nations.
‘The chosen locations span the landscape and exist for everyone to enjoy. ‘They can be found in rural and urban spaces, from National Parks to housing estates.
‘All have a unique story to tell – some are famous specimens, while others have local significance as natural wonders throughout our neighbourhoods.
‘By sharing the stories behind the woodlands and trees, as well as the incredible efforts that are made to protect them, The Queen’s Green Canopy aims to raise awareness of these treasured habitats and the importance of conserving them for future generations.
‘The Ancient Tree dedication marks the start of a long-term project to propagate material to ensure that the genetic resource and unique characteristics of some of the UK’s most important trees is preserved.’
Coille na Glas Leitir is a temperate rainforest adapted to the cool, wet climate of north-west Scotland, a habitat rare across the world.
The ancient Caledonian woodland here is believed to have been present continuously throughout the last 8,000 years.
Llangernyw Yew Common yew (Taxus baccata) St Digain’s Church Yard, Llangernyw, Conwy
Legend has it the church is home to an ancient spirit called Angelystor, which is Welsh for Recording Angel or Evangelist. At Halloween the spirit supposedly cries out the names of all the parishioners who will die in the next year.
Crom Yew Common yew (Taxus baccata) Crom Castle, Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh
The Crom Yew is actually two yews entwined together – one male and one female. The larger, older female yew is of a considerable age, although how old exactly has been the subject of debate with some estimates of 800 years old.
As if that wasn’t romantic enough, legend has it that Hugh O’Neill, the 2nd Earl of Tyrone, bade farewell to his lady love beneath the ancient yew at the time of ‘The Flight of the Earls’ in 1607.
Beinn Eighe and Loch Maree Islands, Wester Ross
The Florence Court Yew Irish yew (Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’) Florence Court, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh
As a female specimen of a dioecious genus, the only way for this plant to reproduce is through cuttings. As a popular cultivar this has impacted the figure of this yew at Florence Court, though it is now mother to millions of offspring across the world.
Brocton Coppice Brocton, Cannock Chase Country Park, Staffordshire
With around 600 oaks, including some over 600 years old, Brocton Coppice is a beautiful fragment of the original Forest of Cannock that once covered 200 square miles.
It is a special area that supports rare wildlife. The first documented mention of the Coppice is from 1626 and it is clearly shown on the Yates map of 1775.
Small Leaved Lime (Tilia cordata), Prisk Wood, Monmouthshire
Prisk Wood is home to this spectacular example of an ancient, multi-stemmed small leaved lime. At first sight the trunks appear to be separate trees but in fact it is all one individual.
Lambeth Palace Fig ‘White Marseilles’ (Ficus carica), Lambeth Palace, London
This fig tree is of the White Marseilles variety and was given as a gift to Lambeth Palace by the Vatican. Now found in the courtyard adjacent to the Great Hall, it was originally planted in the garden by Cardinal Pole, who was the last Roman Catholic Archbishop from 1556-1558.
The Black Wood of Rannoch Loch Rannoch, Perth and Kinross
It has survived largely undisturbed since the last Ice Age approximately 10,000 years ago.
Fellings in the medieval period provided timber for local needs through periods of clan warfare, and more recently Canadian troops exploited the area in WWII. The rich history and biodiversity in the forest denote it as a Special Area of Conservation and it is favoured by researchers.
Queen Elizabeth I Oak Sessile oak (Quercus petraea) Cowdray Park, West Sussex
One of the largest and oldest sessile oak trees in the UK, this oak is still living and is estimated to be around 1,000 years old.
It forms part of the Cowdray Estate Deer Park, which combined with the neighbouring arboretum and benbow pond make it a popular attraction for Midhurst locals and tourists, with stunning views of the South Downs.
Robert The Bruce’s Yew Common yew (Taxus baccata) Loch Lomond, Argyll and Bute, Stirlingshire
The tree is in Stuc an T’Iobhairt, translated from Scottish Gaelic as the Hill of the Sacrifice. Upper estimates put the age of the tree at well beyond 1,000 years.
Ty Canol NNR and Pentre Ifan Pentre Ifan, near Newport, Pembrokeshire
Pentre Ifan is famous for its archaeological sites. it is home of Pentre Ifan Cromlech, a neolithic chambered dolmen, which is a portal tomb, that is thought to date from 3,500 BC.
Reference ~ Chris Matthew, Daily Mail.
Tree Weaver 