Queen’s legacy will live on in Tankerness House Gardens

A Royal newcomer is to join the family of trees within the gardens of Tankerness House later this month.

The rowan sapling at just a few metres high will be surrounded and protected by the other well-established varieties within the Kirkwall community space because this is a very important tree. It hails from the Tree of Trees – a spectacular 21m sculpture designed by Thomas Heatherwick and built outside Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The sculpture’s steel branches held 350 living trees in celebration of The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative and its Plant A Tree For The Jubilee campaign.

Furthering the Green Canopy – described as the Queen’s living legacy – each young tree is now being sent out to community groups and individuals across the nation to celebrate their positive impact on their communities – and inspire the next generation of UK tree planters.

The Lieutenancy of Orkney was lucky to be gifted one of the trees, complete with its crested aluminium pot. Orkney’s Lord Lieutenant, Elaine Grieve, said: “Rowan wood is strong and resilient and in Celtic mythology it's known as the ‘tree of life’ symbolising courage, wisdom and protection – undoubtedly attributes that would be associated with our late monarch.

“We are delighted to be part of this living legacy for our late Queen – the tree will be an ongoing symbol of her incredible dedication and hard work.

“We were asked to consider where best to plant it in order that it might have the best chance of surviving the weather. In conversation with Leisure and Culture Services Manager Garry Burton and his team at the Council, an area within Tankerness House Gardens was identified. Plans are in place to install benches and for a plaque to be produced.

“It is hoped that, in time, the area can become a memorial corner not only marking the reign of our late Queen, but also a quiet place where people can sit and reflect.”

The tree will be planted within the gardens on 27 March.

Dave Sneesby and Karis Christie run the Yard Plant Nursery which is a “not for profit” Community Interest Company promoting therapeutic gardening within the Orkney community and are also tasked with the looking after the historic Tankerness Gardens along with their dedicated team of volunteers. Dave, Karis and volunteers will be present to ensure the correct planting of the special tree.

Dave and Karis said: “We are very proud to have been given the honour of caring for the young sapling in memory of our late Queen and we will do our best to try and ensure that the tree not just survives but thrives.”

Tree planting in Orkney, and across the UK, is very much a living legacy of Queen Elizabeth II and began during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in March 2022.

To mark the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty’s reign, Her Platinum Jubilee - a feat no previous monarch had achieved - 70 trees were planted at Happy Valley.