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The Queen's Green Canopy
It’s the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, and to mark the occasion, people all over the UK are planting a tree for the jubilee. The green canopy created will improve the UK’s environment, increasing much needed green space and creating sustainable legacy for generations to come. We’ve curated this selection of the best trees to plant - ornamental and fruit trees, trees with a royal connection, UK native trees and trees for smaller gardens or pots - so that everyone can join in with this unique tree planting initiative. Read on for help with choosing!
How to choose your tree
Think about the size of your garden and pick a tree that will best fit your space. If you don’t have space in open ground, there are lots of trees you can grow in containers - see our top picks for small spaces here. You might choose a fruit tree, a UK native tree like an Oak or Rowan which are great for supporting wildlife, or an ornamental tree which will look great all year round, like a Crabapple or Cherry Blossom. The type of soil and amount of sunlight you have might also influence your choice - if you have an acidic soil, go for trees such as Magnolias, Willows or Sweetgums. If your garden is on the shadier side, pick a tree which doesn’t need full sun, like an Acer, Birch or Crabapple.
How to plant your tree
The best time to plant a Bare Root tree is from October to March, when they are dormant (not growing). A potted tree can be planted at any time. You’ll need a spade, a fork, some compost or well rotted manure and a stake to support the tree - get yours here. Dig a hole large enough for the tree’s roots then position the tree in the hole. Make sure that the bottom of the stem (where the roots begin) is level with the ground. Carefully refill the hole, adding in some of your compost or manure, then firm the soil down around the tree. Fix your stake into the ground and attach it to the tree at a 45 degree angle, taking care not to damage the roots. Give the tree a good water after planting. For a more detailed guide, check out our How to Plant a Tree feature.
Protect your tree and help it to grow
Water your tree regularly until the roots have established and new growth starts in the spring. Try to keep a metre around the tree weed-free - putting on a layer of mulch will help with this and also provide the tree with nutrients. Check your tree’s individual product page for advice on how much sunlight, water and feeding it will need - and take a look at our knowledge pages for more useful tips.
Royal red foliage and flowers
- Deep purple-red flowers in mid spring
- Purple foliage turns red in autumn
- Deep red cherry-like fruits
- Easy maintenance
Big flavours from a small tree
- Superb, intense but balanced flavour
- Grow apples in pots on your patio
- We would never have discovered gravity if all apple trees were this size
- High yields of fruit from a small space
A fantastic base for fruit jams
- Winner of RHs award of Garden Merit
- Gnarled and twisted trunk
- Fantastic base for fruit jams
- A small tree of great character
Harvest hazelnuts from this British native
- Yellow catkins in early spring
- Rounded leaves turning yellow in autumn
- Slow growing and suitable for coppicing
- Edible nuts in autumn
Medlars with a superior flavour
- A compact medlar tree with well-flavoured fruit
- Harvest in early October
- Grows to just 4m and can be pruned to fit any garden
- Eat raw or make delicious jellies and jams
Small but mighty nut tree
- Plum purple foliage
- Produces good crops of delicious hazelnuts
- Excellent for smaller gardens or as hedging
- Yellow catkins add winter interest
Colour all year round
- Distinctive creamy white peeling bark
- Burgundy leaves turning fiery red-orange in autumn
- Bark changes colour as it matures
- Grows to approx 12m
Reliable, prolific and well suited to UK climate
- The best performing Nectarine
- Reliable, heavy crops of large, juicy fruit
- Self Fertile
- Expertly pruned patio tree perfect for pots
Fighting plastic waste
Delivering fresh from the nursery
Supporting UK growers
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection.