Thousands of trees to mark King's Coronation as woods and orchards created
Thousands of trees will be planted to mark the King’s Coronation, the Government announced today.
Ministers urged councils to table bids for slices of cash from a £2.5million fund “celebrating His Majesty’s passion for the environment”.
Charles planted hundreds of trees when he was Prince of Wales and, according to the official royal website, after planting each tree he grabs one of the branches, gives it a friendly shake and wishes it well. He even created an arboretum and planted a wood at Balmoral - naming it Prince George's Wood in his eldest grandson's honour.
King Charles and Prince William have planted hundreds of thousands of trees over the decades (AP)The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the latest scheme will “enable local authorities to create green spaces and connect communities with nature as a permanent reminder of the Coronation, while helping meet the Government’s targets to treble tree planting rates by the end of this Parliament and ensure that 16.5% of land area is under tree cover by 2050”.
Grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 will be available for “community orchards”; “Miyawaki Woods”, which involve “careful soil preparation to rapidly plant dense native woodlands that are usually the size of a tennis court”; “tree packs” for local residents and community groups; trees for farmers to plant on their land; and community nurseries.
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Forestry Commission chairman Sir William Worsley said: “I am delighted that today we are opening the Coronation Living Heritage Fund to commemorate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. This will enable communities to grow new and diverse trees to enrich the environment in which people, wildlife and nature coexist for generations to come.”
Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said the trees would “serve as a permanent reminder of His Majesty’s Coronation in their local areas”. She added: “These new trees will mark His Majesty’s passion for trees and woodlands and deliver a range of benefits for the natural environment - from carbon sequestration, to habitat creation and the boosting of human health and wellbeing.”
A Local Government Association spokesman said: “Councils look forward to engaging with communities to help make a success of His Majesty King Charles III’s scheme. More investment in tree planting is positive and will make a difference.
“Trees are so important to addressing climate change, improving biodiversity, helping prevent flooding during excess rain and providing shade during excess heat. It is good that the Government wants to support tree planting with a wide range of funding pots. Councils want to lead the local effort and to work with government to simplify and devolve funding for local nature recovery and tree planting.”
Applications to the fund opened today and close on September 11.
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