British Racecourses Plant More Than 700 Trees For Queen’s Green Canopy

British racecourses are playing their part in the Queen’s Green Canopy to mark her Platinum Jubilee and enhance the environment by planting more than 700 trees this year.

The Queen’s Green Canopy is a unique tree planting initiative created for Her Majesty’s landmark year, which invites people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.

To date, 23 British racecourses have confirmed participation in the project with more to follow. The official tree planting season takes place between October to March before recommencing again in October, through to the end of the Jubilee year. 

This morning, Ascot Racecourse and the Crown Estate jointly planted 70 oak trees adjacent to the Royal Procession route along Duke’s Lane in Windsor Great Park. On 10^th May, each tree will be dedicated to one of 70 local schools, one for each year of Her Majesty’s reign. Each school will be represented by a pupil, holding their school’s crest or something that identifies their school, and a group photograph will be taken.

Her Majesty’s representative and chairman of Ascot Racecourse, Sir Francis Brooke, Bt, with chief executive Guy Henderson and the grounds team at a tree planting event held by Ascot and the Crown Estate this morning.

Her Majesty’s Representative and Chairman at Ascot, Sir Francis Brooke, Bt, said of the project and the racing industry’s contribution: “It is fantastic that the racing family has come together in such numbers to be part of this very worthwhile initiative. The last of our 70 trees were planted this morning, at a location in Windsor Great Park on the route of the Royal Procession. We are much looking forward to welcoming the schools in May for what will be a very special day.”

The Jockey Club will be planting more than 500 trees this year as part of the project across their 15 racecourses and three training grounds, as part of wider celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee to mark 70 years on the throne for their Patron The Queen.

Cheltenham, Epsom Downs, Aintree and Sandown Park are amongst the courses to be planting trees to commemorate the event across The Jockey Club’s sites, who have been working with local experts to ensure the trees to be planted are both local and sustainable with the individual climates of each racecourse or location.

The Jockey Club’s chief executive Nevin Truesdale said: “We are thrilled to be playing our part in The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative to mark the Platinum Jubilee of our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen.

“We will be planting trees right across our racecourses and training grounds and our teams have been working hard to ensure the projects we are undertaking will enhance their surroundings for years to come.

“In doing so we hope they will reflect the extraordinary and long-lasting contribution The Queen has made to our sport and the country more widely.”

Amongst the other racecourses participating in the initiative is Ripon, who planted seven flowering cherry trees on their grounds today and these will complement the 16 cherry trees planted for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, while tomorrow the Earl of Plymouth Count Viscard will plant a silver birch tree at Ludlow Racecourse. 

Newbury Racecourse is planting a tree in support of the initiative and celebrating the Platinum Jubilee on Al Shaqab Lockinge Day. Cartmel Racecourse is set to plant 20 oak trees as part of the project involving the local community and schools in the planting. Meanwhile York racecourse planted five different types of tree in November last year – an ‘Apricot Queen’, Hawthorn, Cotoneaster, Silver Birch and a Plum tree.

York Racecourse Chief Executive William Derby and Head Gardener Zac Rafferty have planted five saplings at their Stableside complex to compliment the existing flora and fauna.

Arena Racing Company will be supporting the initiative with the planting of a variety of trees across their racecourses and other venues, including Hereford Racecourse, who will be planting two apple trees either side of their horsewalk, with apples and cider synonymous with the county of Herefordshire.

Other racecourses with plans to plant trees for the Jubilee thus far include Ayr, Hamilton Park, Musselburgh, Pontefract and Southwell.

With a focus on planting sustainably, the Queen’s Green Canopy will encourage planting of trees to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, which will benefit future generations.