Platinum jubilee trees to be planted across UK to honour late queen

Every county in the UK will receive at least one tree to create a 'living legacy' for Queen Elizabeth II

The Tree of Trees is lit during the BBC's platinum party in front of Buckingham Palace, London, in June. PA

Hundreds of trees from the centrepiece of the platinum jubilee celebrations are to be planted across Britain in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The 21-metre Tree of Trees sculpture consisted of 350 saplings installed outside Buckingham Palace in June to mark the monarch’s seven decades on the throne.

The trees have been cared for over the summer by a Cambridgeshire tree nursery and will be sent across the country to be planted by an “inspiring” community organisation.

As part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, an initiative set up for the jubilee, every county in the UK will receive at least one tree.

“We are proud to unveil this nationwide network of organisations chosen to become custodians of these special trees in her majesty’s name,” said the initiative's chairman, Sir Nicholas Bacon.

“In recognition of the positive impact that they have on their communities, the groups chosen represent the very best of Britain.

“The trees will serve as an inspiration for tree planting within communities and to encourage care for the trees which already exist as part of our nation’s stunning landscape.”

Day 4 of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations – in pictures

The Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla during the Big Jubilee Lunch, with tables set up on the pitch at The Oval cricket ground in London on day four of the platinum jubilee celebrations. PA

People set up tables for the Big Jubilee Lunch on The Long Walk in Windsor. Millions of people are expected to attend 'Big Jubilee Lunch' picnics as the long weekend of festivities to honour the queen's platinum jubilee concludes. AFP

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, arrives for the Big Jubilee Lunch at The Oval cricket ground. AP Photo

People gather for the Big Jubilee Lunch on The Long Walk in Windsor. AFP

Britain's Princess Beatrice, centre, and Princess Eugenie are presented with flowers as they arrive at the Big Jubilee Lunch organised by Westminster Council for local volunteer and community groups. AP Photo

Participants pose for a picture with a cardboard cut-out of the queen on The Long Walk in Windsor. AFP

A reveller arrives to attend a street party in Ashby-de-la-Zouch in central England as part of the platinum jubilee celebrations. AFP

Prince Charles looks at decorations at The Oval cricket ground. Reuters

A picnic table is decorated with cut-outs depicting Britain's Queen Elizabeth in Windsor. Reuters

People dance at Blackpool Tower Ballroom during the platinum jubilee celebrations. Reuters

A woman celebrating ahead of the Big Jubilee Lunch on The Long Walk in Windsor. AFP

A man dressed as a king hangs decorations as he takes part in the Big Jubilee Lunch in Windsor. Reuters

Spectators cross the Mall before the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in front of Buckingham Palace on day four of the celebrations. PA

Balloons are hung ahead of the Big Jubilee Lunch on The Long Walk in Windsor. AFP

People pose for selfies on the Mall ahead of the start of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in front of Buckingham Palace. PA

Performers dressed as farm animals parade during the Platinum Pageant in London. EPA

Performers on the 1960s bus take part in the Platinum Pageant. AFP

Performers take part in the Platinum Pageant in London as part of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations. AFP

Former Olympic swimmer Duncan Goodhew and opera singer Katherine Jenkins arrive at the pageant. PA

Performers in the pageant. AFP

TV presenter Timmy Mallett at the pageant. PA

TV presenters John Craven, Chris Tarrant and Johnny Ball at the pageant. PA

A participant prepares for the pageant. PA

Sir Cliff Richard climbs onboard the 1950s bus at Horse Guards Parade for the pageant. PA

People take part in a parade during the pageant. Getty

Prince Louis sat on the knee of his grandfather the Prince of Wales during the pageant. PA

Naomi Campbell and Kanya King on a bus as part of the pageant. Getty

Princess Charlotte, Prince George and their father Prince William enjoy the pageant. PA

Members of the public watch the pageant in Westminster, London. PA

Revellers celebrate near Windsor Castle, Britain. EPA

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and her son Prince George. AFP

Model Kate Moss and actress Patsy Kensit during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant outside Buckingham Palace. AP

People parade during the pageant. AP

Girls climb a street sign for a better view of the parade in London. PA

A cut out of Queen Elizabeth II in a window near Windsor Castle. EPA

Performers from Edinburgh Festival Carnival entertain the crowds in Princess Street Gardens in Edinburgh, Scotland, during a platinum jubilee event. PA

Children enjoy a street party in Edinburgh. PA

Actress Joan Collins at the London pageant. EPA

People take part in The Big Lunch on the Long Walk, Windsor Castle. EPA

A woman participates in the Windsor Castle event. EPA

Vintage cars in front of Buckingham Palace during the London pageant. PA

Singer Katherine Jenkins at the pageant. AFP

A dog wearing a crown at the Big Jubilee Lunch in Windsor. Getty

People parade during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant outside Buckingham Palace in London. AP Photo

Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, pose for a photo with attendees of the Big Jubilee Lunch in Windsor. AFP

A hologram of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is projected on the Gold State Coach during the pageant in London. AFP

The scheme coincides with the planting season and will run from October to March, with the first tree being presented on Monday at the Royal Chelsea Hospital.

Twenty organisations from across the UK, including a Scottish food bank and Welsh anti-pollution group, will be given a sapling in a pot embossed with the queen’s cypher.

The planting spree is said to be part of the initiative's mission to create a “living legacy” for the queen, who planted 1,500 trees around the world before her death in September.

Meanwhile, Conservative Party members stood for a minute’s silence in her memory on the first day of the party’s conference.

UK Prime Minister Liz Truss and her Cabinet were on the front row of hall one at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre as members remained standing to sing the national anthem in praise of King Charles III.

Members stood and cheered as Ms Truss entered the hall at the start of proceedings, before welcoming remarks by the president of the National Conservative Convention, Fleur Butler.

Queen Elizabeth II's floral tributes turned into compost - video

Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt paid tribute to the late queen, flanked by photographs.

“She saw us through change and challenge, constitutional crisis, conflict, Covid," Ms Mordaunt said.

“And every time we battled, we had Her Majesty alongside us, advising us, guiding us, unifying us all.”

Party members were shown a video montage of recollections of the queen from former Conservative prime ministers Sir John Major, David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson.

“I think her greatest legacy is demonstrating just what a brilliant model our constitutional monarchy is," Mr Cameron said.

“She was an extraordinary symbol of national unity. She brought the country together, but she also did so much to represent and symbolise Britain abroad.”

Ms May said: “One of the striking characteristics of her late majesty was her devotion to duty."

Mr Johnson said: “I think there has been no other monarch in our history who has [seen] such a phenomenal increase in the prosperity, in the opportunity, in the longevity, of the British people as she has in her reign.

"And for that reason alone I think that she should be recorded as Elizabeth the Great."