King’s tree planted in Epping Forest to mark Coronation
A tree gifted to the residents of Essex by His Majesty King Charles III has been recently planted in Epping Forest as part of the festivities surrounding his Coronation. This ceremonial planting took place on the village green in Theydon Bois, within the ancient woodlands of Epping Forest, which are meticulously preserved by the City of London Corporation, functioning as a registered charity.
The tree in question is a small-leaved lime tree, and it was ceremoniously planted on a Saturday by Jennifer Tolhurst, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex. These lime trees, though relatively scarce in central and southern England, can reach heights of up to 25 meters. Their fragrant summer blossoms are a magnet for various insects and pollinators seeking nectar, while their leaves are favored by caterpillars of the Lime hawk moth, among other species.
Epping Forest holds international significance as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation, and one of the last expansive natural woodlands in southern England. This vast area serves as London and Essex’s largest free open green space, drawing over ten million visitors annually. It encompasses a core of 5,900 acres, further supported by 1,800 acres of ‘buffer’ land to safeguard it from encroachment and to preserve the local environment and its wildlife.
Since 1878, the City Corporation has owned and managed Epping Forest, following the creation of the Epping Forest Act by Parliament, which safeguarded it indefinitely for the recreation and enjoyment of the public. According to the Act’s provisions, a Ranger appointed by the Sovereign works alongside the Conservators to uphold the law. Currently, this position is held by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, who frequently visits the forest.
Epping Forest has a rich royal history, having been inaugurated by Queen Victoria in 1882, who dedicated the forest to “the use and enjoyment of my people for all time” under the Queen’s Oak Tree in High Beech. Henry VIII commissioned a Hunting Lodge in Chingford, later used by Elizabeth I and James I, which now serves as a museum.
In March 2017, Prince Harry celebrated Epping Forest’s inclusion in The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, and in 2021, Queen Elizabeth II designated it as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, recognizing it as one of only 70 ancient woodlands in the United Kingdom.
Ben Murphy, Chairman of the City Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee, expressed deep gratitude for the tree donation from King Charles III and emphasized its role in promoting nature conservation and addressing climate change.
Nicholas Lyons, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, expressed delight in the choice of Epping Forest for planting the tree, given its rich history and the forest’s contribution to supporting rare and vulnerable wildlife.
Jennifer Tolhurst, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, expressed her pleasure in selecting Epping Forest for this special tree planting, given the King’s environmental interests and the forest’s exceptional track record in environmental conservation.
The City Corporation manages over 11,000 acres of open space in London and southeast England, including well-known areas like Hampstead Heath and Burnham Beeches, along with more than 180 smaller sites in the Square Mile. These green spaces, most of which operate as charitable trusts, serve their communities at little or no cost and protect important wildlife habitats, Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and National Nature Reserves through special legislation.
