The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.
Everyone from individuals to Scout and Girlguiding groups, villages, cities, counties, schools and corporates will be encouraged to play their part to enhance our environment by planting trees during the official planting season between October to March. Tree planting will commence again in October 2022, through to the end of the Jubilee year.
With a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC will encourage the planting of trees to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, which will benefit future generations.
As well as inviting the planting of new trees, The Queen’s Green Canopy will dedicate a network of 70 Ancient Woodlands across the United Kingdom and identify 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.
Here in Stratton, the Parish Council has very little land on which trees could be planted. In fact, the only place is the playing field. However, for those residents who do not already know, the playing field is a flood alleviation plain and can have no buildings, fences or structures which might hinder flood waters from freely flowing onto it should the need arise.
With that restrictive caveat, any alteration – this includes planting – has to be agreed and sanctioned by The Environment Agency (EA). Consequently, the Parish Council has approached the EA for permission to plant a tree (or trees) on the field and asked what trees would be regarded as suitable, Given the often soggy nature of the ground, trees that like a lot of water, such as a variety of willow, might be regarded as appropriate and allowable.
As well as trees, the Council has been investigating whether a flower meadow scheme on part of the playing field would also be permitted if the soil turns out to be suitable.
We await the decision, hopefully a positive one, along with any helpful advice The Environment Agency can provide for this initiative to be successful.