The Platinum Jubilee 2022 – A lasting celebration of 70 years on the Throne

The Queen’s Green Canopy is a tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Everyone across the UK is being invited to join in and plant trees at suitable times of the year (October to March) in 2021 and 2022. Barnack Parish Council and St. John’s Church areto contribute to the Queen’s Green Canopy by planting a tree in Barnack churchyard.

How did we choose the tree?

There were several things to be considered when choosing our tree. First of all, it had to be relatively small when mature,to fit into the space available in the churchyard.Secondly,we were keen to plant a species native not only to Britain but alsoto this part of the country. Thirdly, we favoured a tree with attractive leaves and flowers. And lastly, we were hoping to find a tree with an interesting history.

Our choice

We chose Sorbus torminalis , the Wild Service Tree, once known astheChequer(or Checker)Tree.This species occurs throughout England on limestone and clay. It is regarded as an indicator of ancient, semi-natural woodland, such as the remnants of Rockingham Forest.Our specimen, supplied by Aveland Trees, Dunsby, was grown from seed gathered in Bourne Woods.The leaves, which arejagged andsimilar to those of Maple, turn coppery-red in autumn. In spring and early summer,the Wild Service Tree bears whiteblossom.The brownish, oval fruits are up to1.5 cm in diameter and patterned with small pale spots when ripe. The wood isvaluable, very dense and fine-grained. In the past it was made into specialist items such as bows, screws for winepresses, billiard cues, musical instruments and cartwheels, but now it is used mainly for veneers.

What’s in a name?

Sorbus is simply Latin for Service Tree, but theothernamesfor our tree give a flavour of thepast value of this speciesto the rural economy:
– tormina means colic in Latin: an infusion of the fruits of Sorbus torminalis was once used to treat colic and dysentery;
– the old vernacularEnglish name ‘Chequer Tree’seems to bederived fromthe speckled fruits called chequers, which wereonce used to make a potent beer – hence the name ‘Chequers’ for many pubsand the associated chequer-board symbol;
– the name ‘Service’ derives from the Latin name for beer -cervisia.
It is appropriate that Her Majesty’s 70 years of devoted serviceare to be acknowledged by planting a Service Tree.

Don’t miss the planting ceremony on December 12th

Adam Frost has kindly agreed to plant the tree at a brief ceremony to be held inBarnackchurchyard at 1 pm on Sunday, December 12th.Please join us to wish the tree a long, fruitful and healthy life.
Margaret Palmer