THROUGHOUT her long reign, the Queen always showed a keen interest in forestry and woodlands. She personally planted more than 1,500 trees around the world.

Her Majesty later established the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy in 2015 and then the Queen’s Green Canopy to mark her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Patron of the Royal Forestry Society and Royal Scottish Forestry Society, she enjoyed a close relationship with both over the years, attending numerous events.

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Forestry Journal: The Queen during the RFS's Whole Society Meeting of 1968The Queen during the RFS's Whole Society Meeting of 1968 (Image: FJ)

This included the RFS's Whole Society Meeting of 1968 at Great Windsor Park and a reception in 1982 at Savill Gardens to celebrate the society's 100th year. 

Forestry Journal: The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Queen Elizabeth II seen here during a her visit to Romsey to celebrate the Borough's 350th anniversary celebrations in April 1957. The Queen planting a Mulberry tree in the grounds of BroadlandsThe Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Queen Elizabeth II seen here during a her visit to Romsey to celebrate the Borough's 350th anniversary celebrations in April 1957. The Queen planting a Mulberry tree in the grounds of Broadlands (Image: FJ)

Launched alongside Prince Charles, the Queen's Green Canopy is made up of 70 Ancient Trees and 70 Ancient Woodlands, including the 900-year-old Signing Oak and Dumfries House Sycamore, believed to have been planted in 1599.

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Forestry Journal:  Queen Elizabeth II planting a tree during a visit to Salvesen Gardens, a disabled veterans housing development in Edinburgh Queen Elizabeth II planting a tree during a visit to Salvesen Gardens, a disabled veterans housing development in Edinburgh (Image: NQ)

As well as this, people across the UK and Commonwealth were invited to plant trees to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and her 70 years on the throne. More than one million trees were planted during the first planting season. 

Prince Charles, patron of the QGC, said earlier this year: "I believe it is absolutely vital that we do our utmost to nurture our historic inheritance through careful management and, in the case of the woodlands, that we can expand them and link them to other natural features like our hedgerows.

“And if we are to create the ‘ancient’ trees of the future, we must plant more trees in hedgerows, fields, churchyards and avenues.

Forestry Journal: The Queen and Prince Charles during the launch of the Queen's Green Canopy in 2021The Queen and Prince Charles during the launch of the Queen's Green Canopy in 2021 (Image: FJ)

“Furthermore, I would suggest that some of those planted should be propagated from today’s ancient trees, thus helping to preserve their unique provenance and heritage.

“These working woodlands and magnificent trees span our nation’s amazing landscape and exist for everyone to enjoy." 

Forestry Journal:

At the end of the planting season, Her Majesty said: "As the planting season draws to a close, I send my sincere thanks to everyone across the country who has planted a tree to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee.

Forestry Journal: 25 July 2012 - The Queen pictured during her visit to the New Forest Show - The Queen plants a tree25 July 2012 - The Queen pictured during her visit to the New Forest Show - The Queen plants a tree (Image: NQ)

"I am deeply touched that so many community groups, schools, families and individuals have made their own unique contributions to the Green Canopy initiative.

Forestry Journal: Queen Elizabeth II plants a tree during a visit to the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) Park Farm in CambridgeQueen Elizabeth II plants a tree during a visit to the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) Park Farm in Cambridge (Image: NQ)

"I hope your Jubilee trees flourish and grow for many years to come, for future generations to enjoy."