Queen Elizabeth’s Sandringham Estate has put in application to cut down 111 trees, despite Prince Chares having asked the public to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee” on Monday (24.05.21).
According to the Daily Mirror newspaper, the application has been lodged with King’s Lynn Borough Council to fell the trees, in order to make more space to expand the visitor’s car park from 416 to 600 places.
Norway Maples, Mature Sycamores, Beech and Scots pine, some of which are apparently classed as “category A” and more than 100 years old, are all said to be at risk.
A spokeswoman for Sandringham said: “Within the redevelopment of the car park, the Estate will plant native trees and introduce wildflower planting, as part of its commitment to improving biodiversity.”
Earlier this week, the Prince of Wales planted an oak tree at Windsor Castle in honour of The Queen’s Green Canopy.
In an initiative to celebrate his mother’s 70-year reign, the ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’ initiative was been launched with the aim of encouraging the nation to plant trees from October 2021 until the end of 2022.
As well as honouring the Platinum Jubilee, The Queen’s Green Canopy highlights 70 ancient woodlands and trees across the UK, and the royals have partnered with the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show and the Cool Earth charity on the scheme.
A pilot training programme in planting and managing trees for young people out of work has also been announced.
In newly-released images that were taken in March, Charles and his mother – who has planted more than 1,500 trees during her reign – were photographed as the first in line to the throne planted the first Verdun Oak at the queen’s royal residence.
And the 72-year-old heir to the throne and environmentalist described planting a tree as a “statement of hope and faith in the future”.
In a video message, he said: “It is absolutely vital that more of the right species of trees are planted, in the right places, and that more woodlands, avenues, hedgerows and hedgerow trees and urban planting schemes are established, whilst ensuring that we also protect and sustain what we already have.”