TREES have been planted across several sites in Ellesmere, courtesy of the town council, to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and its Green Canopy.

Former mayor Councillor Paul Goulbourne joined others last month to plant a tree at the Birch Road Pond, which will be officially unveiled on Friday, June 3, and is one of many across the town.

A spokesman for Ellesmere Town Council explained the work that has gone into celebrating the Green Canopy project for the Jubilee next month.

"Ellesmere Town Council has donated or planted trees in several sites around the town to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee," they said.

"Three apple trees were donated to support the development of a community orchard on Canal and River Trust land next to the Yard.

"The council also gave ‘scrumptious’ apple trees to Lakelands Academy and Ellesmere Primary School – these apples are particularly liked by children as the fruit is sweet with thin skin.

"The schools also received alders, birches and a variety of hedging plants including hazel and field maple.

"An oak tree that was put in the ground near Birch Road Pond last month will be officially hailed as the Jubilee Oak when a plaque is unveiled at 1pm on Friday, June 3 as part of the Jubilee Weekend celebrations.

"The pond, which was declared a Local Nature Reserve in 2020, will be officially opened on the same day, where there will be a nature spotting activity for children from 1pm, organised by the Ellesmere Branch of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust."

They added that saplings have been planted at the entrance to the Plantation and another in Swan Hill cemetery, while an oak tree is still to be planted in St Mary’s Churchyard.

Cllr Anne Wignall, the new Mayor of Ellesmere, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Queen’s Green Canopy project in our community.

"It not only marks the 70 years of Her Majesty’s reign, it also helps to improve the environment and supports our carbon reduction programme, which is good for all of us.

”Many people have contributed to the success of this project, not least Cllr Joan Mowl who has spent several weeks nurturing the young saplings in her garden.

"The Queen’s Green Canopy is a national project supported by Ellesmere Town Council that invites people from across the country to 'Plant a Tree for the Jubilee'."