The Queen’s Wood
Some years ago one of our members, John Palmer, heard a radio programme
where the very mixed parentage of oaks in Britain was discussed. He decided
to collect some acorns from the most ancient oak he knew, The Major Oak in
Sherwood Forest and grow some oaks with the most “English” parentage.
In 2004 we helped John plant out the saplings in a field of his
near Wimborne and these trees are now producing their own acorns and he grew
these to produce the 96 oaks – one for each year of the late Queen Elizabeth’s
life
In cooperation with the National Trust we arranged to plant these trees as the
centrepiece of some planting on the NT Kingston Lacy estate at Shapwick. As
well as our members and National Trust staff and Volunteers a number of guest
planters came – the Agent from the Duchy of Cornwall Estate at Poundbury, The
SW Regional Forester for the MoD and some teachers (plus Head Girl) from
Blandford School.
The Major Oak, the parent
The first generation offspring
We gather ready to start planting
Shan who helped plant the 1st generation now planting the second
Members and friends plant the 96 oaks
“The Prayer of the Trees”
I am the heart of your hearth on cold winter nights
The friendly shade screening you from the summer sun,
and my fruits are refreshing draughts quenching your thirst as you
journey on.
I am the beam that holds up your house. The board of your table,
the bed on which you lie and the timber that builds your boat.
I am the handle of your hoe, the wood of your cradle,
and the shell of your coffin.
I am the bread of kindness and the flower of beauty.
Ye who listen to my prayer, harm me not.
Rachel reads the prayer of the trees to complete the planting
Rachel, The Agent for Poundbury, Ellie from the National Trust who organised the planting and the SW Regional Forester for the MoD
gather round the plaque commemorating the new wood
