A PAIR of Solihull schools have each received one of 350 British native trees that formed part of The Queen’s Green Canopy Tree of Trees sculpture outside Buckingham Palace to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Green-fingered pupils and staff at Windy Arbor Primary School in Chelmsley Wood were joined by the Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands Professor Sir Nigel Thrift and the Mayor of Solihull Councillor Ken Meeson, who offered some help to plant the Silver Birch.
Another Silver Birch was planted at Langley School in Olton by eco-minded staff and pupils along with Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands Clive Stone, the deputy leader of Solihull Council Councillor Karen Grinsell.
These trees were originally displayed during the summer as part of the 21 metre Tree of Trees designed by Thomas Heatherwick, which stood as a message of hope, regeneration and optimism as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Windy Arbor and Langley are two of more than ten organisations in the West Midlands and over 300 others across the UK selected to receive the special trees in recognition of their support for the environment through the planting of trees.
It was the wish of Her Majesty The Queen that the trees be distributed in the autumn to community groups and individuals.
The Mayor said: “It is an honour that two of our schools have been awarded trees from the Tree of Trees in recognition of their commitment to environmental sustainability.
“I was privileged to help with the planting of one of those trees, alongside Sir Nigel, school staff and children who were excited by the occasion.
“The Queen’s Green Canopy aligns with the Council’s Planting Our Future scheme, which pledges to plant 250,000 trees in ten years.
“Planting trees not only enhances the natural environment but also helps capture carbon and reduce pollution, so is central to our vision of making the borough greener.”
The Queen’s Green Canopy was due to conclude in December, the end of the Jubilee year.
However, following the wishes of its Patron, King Charles, the initiative will be extended to the end of March 2023 to give people the opportunity to plant trees in memoriam to honour Her Majesty.
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