CAPTION: The Bishop of Exeter says planting a tree in your churchyard will help safeguard the environment for generations to come
Churches Encouraged to Plant a Tree for the Jubilee
Churches in Devon are being encouraged to plant a new tree in their churchyard as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy.
The tree planting initiative marks Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee this year and people from across the United Kingdom are being encouraged to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.
The aim is to encourage sustainable tree planting and to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the UK, which will benefit future generations.
Lydia Perris, the Social Justice and Creation Care advisor for the Diocese of Exeter said “Trees are an incredible part of God’s creation – no technology can do their job better!
“They provide habitats for wildlife, absorb CO2, produce oxygen and lovely spaces for us to enjoy.

People are being encouraged to plant trees to create a ‘green canopy’ for the Jubilee
By planting a tree, you are contributing to increased biodiversity, mitigating the impacts of climate change, creating cleaner air, and promoting our health and wellbeing.
“This is a great way to visibly show how we care for creation, so I would strongly encourage you, your church and community groups to get involved!
The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Rev’d Robert Atwell, took part in ceremony to plant a new native oak tree on Exeter’s Cathedral Green on 27 March, alongside Devon’s High Sheriff, Lady Lucy Studholme, and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, the Countess of Arran.
The ceremony was also attended by Ross Kennerley, the South West Regional Director of the Woodland Trust, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and started life in Ivybridge.
Bishop Robert said “Planting a tree in your churchyard is a wonderful way to mark the Platinum Jubilee of HM Queen and honour her life of service.

A new oak tree has been planted outside Exeter Cathedral
“It will remind us of our shared stewardship of God’s earth and its precious resources. It will form part of a green canopy to shelter our nation and safeguard the environment for generations to come.”
Some churches have already planted trees and the Diocese of Exeter will be giving away 100 tree saplings to the first churches that ask for one. email to request a tree, putting Queen’s Green Canopy in the title.
The Archdeacon of Exeter, Andrew Beane, said “Parish churches are in a unique position to get involved with this and many have already.
“Plant a tree for the jubilee also presents some brilliant opportunities to get people involved with their local church and churchyard by bringing your community together: from tree trails to foraging; from den building to bulb planting…there are loads of ideas.”
Some communities are planning a tree planting service as part of the Jubilee weekend celebrations on Sunday 5 June and the Church of England has published special prayers and liturgy for the events.
To plant a tree in a churchyard the church PCC will need to agree it and minute it. Churches will then need to apply for permission using the online faculty system (list B). You can find all the information you need here
If you have already planted a tree, please apply for a simple retrospective List B Permission so we have a record of all the jubilee trees planted across the Diocese.