King Charles plants endangered tree at Westonbirt Arboretum

King Charles dug the soil and placed the tree in its new home in Silk Wood at the arboretum, yesterday, Tuesday, December 11. 

He was surrounded by volunteers and staff from Westonbirt and the arboretum’s charity, The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum.

The tree planted was a critically endangered Wollemi pine tree which is also known as a ‘dinosaur tree’. 

Fossil records show the pine were living 200 million years ago alongside the dinosaurs.

It was thought they had become extinct between 70 and 90 million years ago until a chance discovery in 1994. 

The tree species is now classified as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list.

All pictures by Johnny Hathaway.

Photos from the King's planting ceremony 

Caitlin Pether, student arborist (left) and Chrissie Dow, technical arborist (right) prepare the Wollemi Pine for planting (Image: Johnny Hathaway / Westonbirt Arboretum)

King Charles celebrating the planting with (L - R) Andrew Smith, arboretum director, Caitlin Pether, student arborist and Chrissie Dow, technical arborist (Image: Johnny Hathaway / Westonbirt Arboretum)

King's "great enthusiasm" for tree planting

Geraint Richards, head forester to the Duchy of Cornwall and to The King said: “It is extremely significant to have His Majesty King Charles III plant a Wollemi pine at Westonbirt Arboretum.  

“This event combines His Majesty’s long-standing concern for protecting the environment with his great enthusiasm for tree planting. 

“We know that visitors will enjoy seeing this rare species and will hopefully be inspired to learn more about what the world’s leading botanic gardens are doing to protect and conserve our trees.”   

Andrew Smith, director at Westonbirt Arboretum, said: “It is very fitting to have His Majesty plant a Wollemi pine here during the Coronation year. 

“We are also delighted to dedicate the planting location as ‘Coronation Glade’ to celebrate the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, both of whom have had a long association with the arboretum. 

“Planting ceremonies like this are a wonderful occasion to encourage people to connect with trees and nature, our core mission here at Westonbirt.”

Ahead of the planting ceremony, more than 170 young Wollemi pine trees grown by Botanic Gardens of Sydney were shipped to the UK from Australia. 

Six have been planted to become part of the living collection at Westonbirt. 

Meanwhile, a further six will be planted at Bedgebury National Pinetum. 

The remaining trees have been distributed to 27 botanic gardens across the UK and Europe.