Trees to Remember

Trees are seen as a lasting symbol of life, aimed at benefiting future generations. When commemorative trees are planted, the hope is that they will ensure an event or person is not forgotten. Long-lived trees, such as oak, are often chosen as memorial trees because they grow slowly, enhancing the idea that the memory they represent will endure for many years to come.
England has a long association with planting trees to commemorate lives lost – the world wars of the 20th century resulted in many memorial trees being planted. At Warrenhurst Park in Fleetwood, Lancashire, renamed Memorial Park in 1925, an avenue of trees was planted by servicemen’s children, in remembrance of those who died in the First World War.

At English Heritage sites we have many examples of trees that were planted to commemorate special occasions or events, as well as those planted as memorials to lives lost. Some of these are particularly poignant, such as a purple sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus f. purpureum) at Osborne, Victoria and Albert’s home on the Isle of Wight, planted by Queen Victoria in memory of her son Alfred on 30 August 1900, a month after he died.

Walmer Castle

In the 20th century trees have been planted to commemorate Lords Warden of the Cinque Ports, whose official residence is Walmer Castle, in Kent. Many of these trees survive, although sadly a tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) planted by Sir Winston Churchill during his time as Lord Warden (1941–65) died in 2016. A copper beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘atropurpurea’) was planted to commemorate the appointment of the next Lord Warden, Sir Robert Menzies, on 20 July 1966. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, the next Lord Warden, later planted an oak tree (Quercus Robur).

In 1996 a wellingtonia (Sequiadendron giganteum) was planted to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. It was planted by the 9th Duke of Wellington, Arthur Charles Valerian Wellesley. The 1st Duke of Wellington, famous for his victory at the Battle of Waterloo, was Lord Warden from 1829 to 1852. In more recent years trees have also been planted by local community groups, such as the East Kent Federation of Women’s Institutes and Walmer Parish Council, to commemorate important events.

Jubilee Planting

Since Queen Victoria’s reign, planting trees to celebrate royal jubilees has been popular. In 1887 in Middle Temple Gardens, in London, two mulberry trees were planted to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. For Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, many more trees were planted including a grove of 12 silver birch trees in Queen’s Gate Garden in Kensington, London.

In 2012 for Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, the Woodland Trust sponsored the planting of six million trees in hundreds of new Jubilee Woods by communities and landowners. One of these was created at Wrest Park, Bedfordshire. The new areas of woodland were located in an area known as the Old Park and were planted in the positions shown on the Ordnance Survey map of 1881. This project was a fantastic opportunity to restore areas of the historic parkland that had been used for growing crops since the 1940s, while also celebrating the Diamond Jubilee and creating large areas of woodland which improved the biodiversity and ecology of the area.

Commemorative Planting Today

While commemorative tree planting can be a special way of marking a unique event or honouring a loved one, there are also important things to consider before new trees are introduced into a historic garden or landscape. Different species can vary hugely in size, shape, longevity and impact on the landscape. Certain trees may thrive in a particular environment, while others may not. It is therefore very important that an appropriate species is selected, and that the future impact the tree will have on the landscape and surrounding trees as it matures, is carefully considered. 

New trees also need to be sympathetic to the historical and cultural surroundings of their location – for example, in a designed landscape where certain views may need to be protected. The maintenance of any new trees also needs to be considered – in particular in the first five years of a tree’s life when it will require regular care.

By Emily Parker