Commemorative Tree Planted to Remember Her Late Majesty the Queen

On Saturday 25^th February, the Mayor of Wallingford, Cllr Marcus Harris, ceremonially planted a Sweet Gum tree to commemorate Her Late Majesty the Queen.

Joined by Cllr Steve Holder, Chair of Parks, Gardens, Allotments and Open Spaces, Cllr Katharine Keats-Rohan, Wendy Tobitt from Wild About Wallingford and Lucy Harris, the group clapped as the Mayor announced that this tree will memorialise the late Queen and welcome the new King’s reign. A plaque will soon be placed on the tree stake to describe this.

The tree will be listed as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy, which was created to mark the Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The initiative has now been extended to the end of March 2023 to give people the opportunity to plant trees in memoriam to honour Her Majesty.

The tree is a Sweet Gum tree (Liquidambar Styraciflua Worplesdon) and was carefully selected for the contrast of its wonderful autumn colour with the stately evergreen firs in the Castle Gardens. This variety of tree also has good resistance to potential problems with pests and disease. The tree is currently 3.5 metres high and was sourced from Barcham Trees.

The tree is located in the peaceful Castle Gardens, a place for the public to come and reflect.