Westgate Gardens Plane tree features in Queen’s Green Canopy

A stunning Plane tree in the Westgate Gardens has been chosen as one of 70 ancient trees in the country to be featured in the Queen's Green Canopy initiative in celebration of her Platinum Jubilee.

Together, all the 70 trees and 70 ancient woodlands that have been announced today (Sunday 1 May) will form part of an 'Ancient Canopy' to mark the Queen's 70 years on the throne. 

The Westgate Gardens Plane tree is one of several dotted around the city. At approximately 200 years old, it is the oldest of them and has a girth of nearly nine metres. 

Known as 'Baobabs Planes', at least three were planted in the early 1800s by local Victorian botanist and landscape designer William Masters. They are easy to spot due to their distinctive bulbous bark and impressively wide trunks.

Lead councillor for open spaces, Cllr Ashley Clark, said: "We are delighted that one of our trees has been selected. We have some magnificent trees across a district that is blessed with far more tree cover than others in the county.

"Trees like this add a huge amount of character to our open spaces. The only regret is they can’t tell us what they have witnessed over the years. What a colourful story they would have to tell!"

Find out more information about the Queen's Green Canopy initiative.

Published: 1 May 2022