Wentworth Woodhouse is gifted a Tree of Trees from the Queen’s Green Canopy

A right-royal newcomer has joined the ancient trees in the private gardens at Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham.

The rowan sapling is just 2 metres high, small-fry in comparison to the towering, centuries-old varieties in the grounds of the Grade I listed stately home, the largest heritage at risk building in the UK.

But this is one very important tree…

It is from the Tree of Trees, the spectacular 21-metre sculpture built outside Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.

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.

Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust took ownership of the house in 2017 and embarked on an ambitious programme of repair and regeneration. Its tree is one of eight being distributed across South Yorkshire by the office of the Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire.

The tree was planted in the mansion’s 82-acre gardens by ArtWorks South Yorkshire artists Charlene Chattoo, Philip Chapman, Matthew Hamblett, Lisa Fairchild, David Ward, Harvey Hopkinson, Max Bridges and Daniel Hudson and staff members Chris Gaunt and Adam Galliford.

The not-for-profit creative arts organisation, which helps adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential, has been working in Wentworth Woodhouse’s gardens and creating artwork for the Trust since 2015.

The Trust was nominated as a recipient by Janet Wheatley MBE DL, Deputy Lord Lieutenant.

She commented: “The tree will be an ongoing living symbol of the incredible dedication and hard work of all involved in Wentworth Woodhouse and their commitment to restoring and transforming this magnificent house and gardens for all to enjoy.

“The house and gardens are now very special in the hearts of so many local people and communities and so much more than a visitor attraction – they are a symbol and catalyst for change for the people of Rotherham.

“ The tree will be a lasting legacy, marking the importance of trees and nature and honouring the extraordinary service of Her late Majesty to her country and people.”

Dame Julie Kenny CBE DL, Chair of the Preservation Trust and the current Master Cutler of The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire, commented: “Wentworth Woodhouse is very proud to have been nominated by the South Yorkshire Lieutenancy and honoured to become part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, a wonderful initiative which has already encouraged the public to plant over a million trees

“We will ensure the little rowan which was once part of the Tree of Trees flourishes in our gardens so it remains a poignant reminder of the reign of our longest-serving monarch,  Queen Elizabeth II, and a tribute to the dedication and hard work of our volunteers and staff.”

• Thanks to the Queen’s Green Canopy, over a million trees had been planted by March 2022 and the campaign has been extended, so people across the country can continue to plant trees in Her Majesty’s memory until the end of the planting season in March 2023.

Wentworth Woodhouse is one of the largest houses in Europe and was built between 1725 and 1750.
The house was sold in March 2017 for £7million following a five-year campaign by SAVE and the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust.
Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust is now managing a major project to restore the house.
More details about Wentworth Woodhouse are available at www.wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk or by calling 01226 351161.

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