Residents help plant hundreds of trees in memory of late Queen

Volunteers have helped plant hundreds of new trees in Three Rivers in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Around 750 one-year-old native or naturalised species have been planted including hornbeam, oak, crab apple, walnut, hawthorn and rowan. The trees have been planted at Denham Way Playing Fields in Maple Cross and the Horses Field, Leavesden Country Park, in Leavesden.

Three Rivers District Council officers were helped by around 60 local people in the planting of the trees in late November and early December.

The project involved the laying of 750 mulch mats to prevent other plants such as grasses or weeds from competing with the trees for light, nutrients and space. Approximately 3,500 bamboo pegs were hammered into the ground holding the mulch mats in place.

Cllr Sarah Nelmes, the Council Leader, said: “I am delighted to see that so many local people have come out to help plant these wonderful trees in the memory of our late Queen. What started out as a celebration of her 70 years on the throne has turned into a very fitting memorial to her, a living memorial which will continue to grow for many generations to come. I thank everyone who has been involved, and especially all the volunteers who have helping make the project happen.”

More than 500 tree guards were added to protect the trees from rabbit and deer grazing and plenty of wood-chip or mulch was added to the bottom. A further 50 trees are yet to be planted.

The Queen’s Green Canopy was a nationwide initiative to plant trees in honour of the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Following the death of Her Majesty, the King extended the Queen's Green Canopy project until the end of March 2023 to give people the opportunity to plant trees in memory of his mother.

The massive planting project has been supported by the Hertfordshire Country Council Countryside Management Service’s volunteers, the staff and students of Maple Cross JMI School, the Friends of Leavesden Country Park, members of the local community and the district council’s Grounds Maintenance team.