A Special Tree to Mark Abbey's Anniversary

The Right Rev’d Martin Seeley will plant a special tree at St Edmundsbury Cathedral on Saturday 19 November to celebrate St Edmund's Day and 1000 years of the Abbey of St Edmund.

The Holm Oak tree was grown by Bishop Martin, along with many other trees, as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy national initiative. The initiative was created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and invited those across the UK to plant trees to mark the occasion. Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, and the wishes of His Majesty The King, the initiative had been extended into 2023 to give people the opportunity to plant trees in honour The Queen.

The overall aim of The Queen's Green Canopy is to create a network of individual trees, copses and whole woodlands in honour of The Queen's service and her legacy, with benefits for people, wildlife and climate both now and for the future.

Bishop Martin has grown Hornbeam, Field Maple, Cherry, Holm Oak and Sweet Chestnut trees, many of which will find permanent homes around the county.

The commemorative tree will be planted during a short ceremony on Saturday 19 November at 2.30pm in the Garden of Remembrance at the Cathedral.

Reverend Philip Banks, Canon Precentor at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, says, “We are delighted to contribute to the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative here at the Cathedral, as part of our Abbey 1000 celebrations. We know that the Remembrance Garden is a very special place to so many people, and this Holm Oak will enhance the enjoyment and atmosphere in this part of the Cathedral for many generations to come.”