Champion Trees at Buckingham Palace

During a recent survey by The Tree Register of the British Isles, a number of National ‘Champion Trees’ have been identified in the Buckingham Palace Garden.

The Tree Register is charity that maintains a database of over 200,000 of the UK’s most notable trees and maintains the list of national ‘Champion Trees’. 

Champion Trees are individual trees which are exceptional examples of their species because of their enormous size, great age, rarity or historical significance.

Following a survey during summer 2021, 24 were identified in the Garden at Buckingham Palace, which now makes a total of over 400 Champion Trees across the Royal Estates.

Acer campestre ‘Queen Elizabeth’, Field Maple:

Despite its central London location, the Buckingham Palace Garden is a haven of biodiversity and home to around 1,400 trees, alongside of wide variety of shrubs, herbaceous plants, wildflowers and bulbs.

Among the 24 Champion Trees in the Garden are a number of trees with a special connection to The Queen:

  • Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Robin Hill’, Juneberry: This tree was given to The Queen for her 85th birthday from the American Ambassador, Mr Susman and his wife.
    Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Robin Hill’, Juneberry
  • Acer campestre ‘Queen Elizabeth’, Field Maple: This tree was given to The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh to celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary from Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
    A plaque marking the tree given to The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh's Golden Wedding Anniversary
  • Quercus x libanerris ‘Rotterdam’ Hybrid Oak: This tree was planted by Her Majesty in 1989 on the Round Bed, after it was given as a present from the International Dendrology Society.
    Quercus x libanerris ‘Rotterdam’ Hybrid Oak

The survey also identified that a Carya hunanensis Chinese Hickory in the Garden is believed to be the only specimen of its type growing in the UK.

Chinese Hickory Tree at Buckingham Palace

The Prince of Wales is Patron of The Tree Register. You can find out more about their work here.

Related content

News

The King visits Lancaster

09 June 2025
The King in Lancaster

The Speech from the Throne, delivered by His Majesty The King, to open the first session of the 45th Parliament of Canada

Honourable Senators, Members of the House of Commons, It is with a sense of deep pride and pleasure that my wife and I join you here today, as we witness Canadians coming...

27 May 2025

A message from The King following the terrible incident in Liverpool

I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.

27 May 2025

Remarks by His Majesty The King at the Presentation of Union Standards to The Household Cavalry, Windsor Castle

Even while you perpetually produce the highest standards of ceremonial magnificence, you remain at the same time a most impressive array of soldiers whose core role, and most...

12 May 2025

A message from The King for the liberation 80 parade in Guernsey

My thoughts and prayers remain with you for your future happiness and the prosperity of your beloved Island.

09 May 2025

A speech delivered by The King on the 80th Anniversary of VE Day

We unite to celebrate and remember with an unwavering and heartfelt gratitude, the service and sacrifice of the wartime generation who made that hard-fought victory possible.

08 May 2025

A message from The King in recognition of community-based cancer support groups

The darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.

30 April 2025

The King's message following the tragic events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver

Our hearts and prayers go out to all those whose lives have been shattered by such a desperate tragedy Both my wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful...

30 April 2025

The King's message to Australian Veterans of the Second World War on Anzac Day 2025

The following message was sent to mark the 80th Anniversary year of the War’s end.

24 April 2025

The King's message to New Zealand Veterans of the Second World War on Anzac Day 2025

The following message was sent to mark the 80th Anniversary year of the War’s end.

24 April 2025

The King's message following the death of Pope Francis

His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith.

21 April 2025
News

Royal Maundy 2025

17 April 2025
The King and Queen at the Maundy Service in Durham