PATRIOTIC TREES TO CELEBRATE LEICESTER AS A QGC “CHAMPION CITY”

To bring National Tree Week to a close, a trio of Jubilee trees, chosen for their red, white and blue foliage, will be planted for The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) at a community event to celebrate Leicester as a QGC “Champion City” on Sunday 5th December.

One of the most diverse cities in the UK, community is at the heart of Leicester which is also central to its tree strategy through the involvement of an inspiring network of volunteer “tree wardens” – symbolic of the spirit that exists within the vibrant community.

With plans to plant over 7,500 trees during the planting season, Leicester is celebrated for its commitment to maintaining and replenishing its 153,000 trees and 109 hectares of woodland set out in its Tree Strategy. The QGC “Champion Cities” programme has been launched to highlight some of the nation’s outstanding cities which have trees as a central part of their plans for green spaces.

The trio of trees – a red-leafed acer, a white poplar and a blue-leafed eucalyptus – will be planted during a family event in Abbey Park hosted by Leicester City Council where 1,000 trees will be given away to encourage people to “plant a tree for the Jubilee”.

Cllr Piara Singh Clair, Deputy City Mayor responsible for Parks, said:
“In around 20 years’ time, when these three trees will be semi-mature, we hope that their canopies will merge to create a vision of red, white and blue. I would encourage everyone in the city to join in with the project by planting a tree in their garden, growing an oak from an acorn in a flower pot, or planting trees at their schools or place of work. There’s lot of information on The Queen’s Green Canopy website – and there’s plenty of time to get involved before the tree planting season ends in March.”

Deputy City Mayor for the Environment, Cllr Adam Clarke, said:
“Planting trees to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 will leave a lasting legacy. Trees are not only beautiful to look at, but they support wildlife, provide cleaner air, reduce pollution levels and mitigate the effects of climate change. Let’s all get involved and support this brilliant project.”

Julie Etchingham, former resident of Leicester, said:
“Delighted to see my hometown of Leicester is playing such an important part in The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative as a ‘Champion City’. It’s a city which has always relished its green spaces – I have lovely childhood memories of playing in the ancient woodlands of Bradgate Park, or enjoying the green spaces around Abbey Park. How wonderful that the community has pledged to help plant thousands of trees in honour of The Queen’s Jubilee – I know we’ll all be cheering on the volunteers taking part.”

Background

Leicester: tree facts and figures

Tree canopy covers around 1,200 hectares in Leicester, with the city council owning around 153,000 individual trees and around 109 hectares of woodland.

Leicester’s first Tree Strategy was launched by City Mayor Peter Soulsby during National Tree Week in 2018.

The five-year strategy guides the city council as it sustains and increases its tree stock and improves the quality of the city’s trees. It also promotes the important role trees can play in maintaining a high-quality city environment, reducing air pollution, supporting wildlife, mitigating the effects of climate change and contributing to flood risk management.

The strategy outlines how the city’s trees will be managed to ensure that Leicester’s urban forest is maintained and protected for future generations.