TREE PLANTING ON FOREST GREEN

On 1st February, following a request from a Forest Green resident, Abinger Parish Council planted a Sweet Chestnut tree outside The Forge on the green to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth ll.

Di Cuthbert, a lifelong resident of Forest Green approached the Parish Council to plant a tree to replace the chestnut tree planted in 1973 which had subsequently died. This tree was planted by Forest Green Womens Institute to the mark ‘Plant a Tree in ‘73’ government campaign and replaced a tree planted in 1935 to commemorate the Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary.

Chestnut trees have long been associated with smithies, traditionally planted for the darkness cast by the shade to aid working with glowing hot metal. As Horse Chestnut trees have been vulnerable to a number of diseases, Sweet Chestnut was chosen in the hope this would be more resilient to grow to maturity.

The Parish Council is planning to plant further commemorative trees on the village greens of Abinger Hammer and Abinger Common and the at Walliswood Recreation Ground and Village Hall, which will take place in Autumn 2022.