In the centre of Eglinton, Co Derry, a truly English oak was planted for the coronation of Edward VII in 1902. This very special oak was grown from an acorn from one of the famous oak trees in Windsor Great Park around the royal residence of Windsor Castle. The tree stands in a small grassy […]
Commemorative Trees
There is a tradition of planting trees to commemorate special events like a battle, a coronation, or a new building. Families planted trees to mark a birth, a wedding, or as a memorial after death. And many small trees owe their existence to state visits by royalty or presidents.
For a Wedding
Within the Seaforde Demesne and in Seaforde village, Co. Down, there are many fine trees. Some trees owe their existence to staff of the estate, especially Mr Allan who was in charge of all the gardens and grounds in their heyday in the last century. Visitors to the gardens drive past a varied selection of […]
…and Death
There is a long association of evergreen, dark trees with burial grounds. At Caledon, Co. Tyrone, seat of the Earls of Caledon, a fine memorial may be seen from the main road through the village. Most notable are the monkey puzzle trees which form an avenue to the monument. Above this, now partly obscured by […]
In Birth…
Within the grounds of the great house at Hillsborough is one extra tall pine, Pinus insignis. Its accompanying plaque states that it was ‘held by the infant Earl of Hillsborough when it was planted on 8th January 1871 to commemorate his birth’. This conjures up a wonderful vision of carefully, guided chubby infant hands clutching […]