A new wood, planted by the Woodland Trust on the doorstep of an urban community, is paying a “magnificent” tribute to Her Majesty The Queen for her Platinum Jubilee.

Sandhills Wood, on the fringes of the ancient Hainault Forest in East London which has Royal links dating back more than 1,000 years, is the latest site to be announced by the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity as part of its mission to plant new, 70 acre-woods across the UK.

The new trees are part of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) – a unique tree-planting initiative which invites people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee” to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

Woodland Trust ambassador Julie Acton said: “Sandhills will be a green and vibrant oasis for the people of East London. It’s a treasure to be enjoyed by all and a magnificent tribute to Her Majesty’s reign.

“The new woodland is an ideal legacy. People of all ages and from all walks of life have helped to plant trees and can now enjoy watching them grow into a thriving haven for people and nature.

“We hope other landowners will be inspired to follow suit and create much-needed new woodlands across the UK.”

Hainault’s own regal pedigree is impeccable having been a favoured Royal hunting forest providing venison for the King’s table since the 11th century.

Its new woodland neighbour is helping buffer and protect the historic and incredibly precious ancient wood for future generations of people and wildlife, as well as giving the local community a new haven to visit and enjoy, free of charge whenever they choose.

The Woodland Trust works in partnership with the London Borough of Redbridge and Vision RCL at Hainault Forest, taking a joined-up approach to looking after its unique habitats, and providing an inspiring and welcoming place for visitors to explore.

Planting on the new wood started in late November 2021 and was completed just over two weeks later, with more than 10,000 trees planted by almost 1,000 people during National Tree Week.

Hainault development officer George Lewis said Sandhills “promises to be a real asset for the community and wildlife”.

“The tree planting was such an inspiring fortnight of events,” he added. “We had people from all corners of London come out in support.

“The enthusiasm of a wonderful mix of community groups was incredible; we were trying to slow everyone down rather than worrying about planting all the trees!

“Many of those involved had never before had the opportunity to explore green spaces beyond their local park.

“Young people are the future of conservation, and I am sure we made lots of new and important connections to the forest.”

Dr Darren Moorcroft, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said the new planting will help boost the Trust’s long-term mass-scale woodland creation aims and fight the climate and nature crisis. “New woods like these are essential for people and the planet,” he added.

“Although trees are proven to fight climate change, boost biodiversity and make us healthier and happier, woodland cover in the UK is still among the lowest in Europe and access to woodland for urban communities like London is getting harder, not easier.

“We must all step up to change that.”

QGC chief executive Dan Rex said: “Sandhills Wood is a really exciting and special contribution to The Queen’s Green Canopy that will be valued and enjoyed by Londoners for generations to come.

“We are delighted to be partnered with The Woodland Trust in the delivery of urban greening projects which will have a significant environmental and social impact on local communities.”

With a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC is encouraging everyone to play their part to enhance our environment by getting trees in the ground during planting seasons this year. The Woodland Trust is a leading delivery partner of The Queen’s Green Canopy.

As well as the new woods being created across the UK, schools and community groups are able to apply for free saplings in tree packs through the Woodland Trust’s Free Trees for Schools and Communities scheme.

If you would like to get involved in the Woodland Trust’s Platinum Jubilee Woods initiative, you can contact us to find out more by emailing woodlandtrust.org.uk/QGCwoods