THE ENCHANTED FOREST TO PLANT A TREE FOR THE QUEEN’S GREEN CANOPY
The Enchanted Forest, Scotland’s favourite sound and light show, has underscored its trailblazing credentials by being this first outdoor illumination event in the UK to plant a tree as part of the national Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, set up to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The tree has been gifted to the event by Forestry & Land Scotland, and will be planted at Faskally Wood in Pitlochry, where the event is held annually.
Alex Cairncross, Deputy Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross met with Lesley Williamson, Chair of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust at Faskally Wood on Friday 1st October marking the official launch of the Queen’s Green Canopy at the start of tree planting season which will see people from across the United Kingdom invited to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.
The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. With a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC will encourage planting of trees to create a legacy, in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, that will benefit future generations. The Queen’s Green Canopy will also dedicate a network of 70 Ancient Woodlands across the United Kingdom and identify 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.
Faskally Wood, where The Enchanted Forest is held, was created in the 19th century by Archibald Butter whose historical home on the Faskally estate is now owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland. The forested lands were acquired by Forestry Commission (now Forestry and Land Scotland) and used as a training school for young foresters owing, in part, to its extensive range of tree species planted across the 55-hectare woodland. It now boasts over 23 species including Douglas fir, wild cherry and oak, with some of the trees over 100 years old. The tree that will be planted as part of the Queens’ Green Canopy will be a Red Oak, noted for its flaming red Autumn colours.
Lesley Williamson, Chair of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust commented:
“We are absolutely delighted to be marking this auspicious occasion for Her Majesty with the planting of a beautiful red oak tree in Faskally Wood, home of The Enchanted Forest. This is a tree that will be enjoyed for generations to come and, we hope, many thousands of visitors who attend the event every year.”
Alex Cairncross, Deputy Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross commented:
“The Enchanted Forest event is one of Scotland’s favourite Autumn events and we are so pleased that they are leading the way on this magnificent campaign to create a lasting legacy for Her Majesty, The Queen, to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee Year. Faskally Wood is stunning at all times of the year, but especially in Autumn and uniquely at night, thanks to The Enchanted Forest.”
The much-loved event normally attracts over 80,000 visitors a year to Highland Perthshire and thousands of tickets for the 2022 event were released on Friday morning.
For more information please visit: www.enchantedforest.org.uk and www.queensgreencanopy.org
