Sir David Attenborough Opens Platinum Jubilee Woodland in Richmond Park

Blakedown Landscapes is extremely proud to be associated with the tree planting and auxiliary works, consisting of Estate Rail fencing and hedging, at the Platinum Jubilee Woodland in Richmond Park.  Officially opened by Sir David Attenborough with the planting of an English Oak tree, the woodland is part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative and honours the late Queen Elizabeth II’s lifetime of service.

 In all, Blakedown planted 70 young broadleaved trees with help from volunteers and people from the local community.  Each tree represents one year of Her Late Majesty’s reign and include Dutch elm-disease-resistant elm, small-leaved lime, and sweet chestnut trees. They are planted around a focal point which will later incorporate a seating area for rest and reflection. These larger canopy trees are complemented by smaller native trees and hedging such as hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, elder and dogwood. 

The woodland provides respite for visitors and creates new habitat to support wildlife, including the endangered white-letter hairstreak butterfly and the cardinal click beetle. The shrubs will also provide shelter and a food source for small mammals and invertebrates. 

The woodland was funded by The Royal Parks charity, which manages Richmond Park, alongside generous support from The Friends of Richmond Park, who funded the trees, and players of People’s Postcode Lottery, through a project called ‘Help Nature Thrive’.

Sir David Attenborough, Patron of The Friends of Richmond Park charity, and Queen’s Green Canopy Ambassador, said: “I am thrilled to be opening this new woodland to honour and celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and life of service. The late Queen was very fond of The Royal Parks and was a great lover of trees, so this is a fitting tribute to her memory.  Its creation also marks the continuing conservation of this protected landscape, and the wonderful wildlife within, so that it can be enjoyed by many generations to come.”

Image courtesy of The Royal Parks