The British Ambassador to Germany Jill Gallard and the Bund deutscher Baumschulen (BdB) e.V. planted a horse chestnut tree together with the Bavarian Minister of State for European Affairs and International Affairs Melanie Huml in honor of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
On September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II passed away, and many people in the United Kingdom, around the world and also in Germany mourn her death and pay tribute to her life’s work.
In her memory, the British Ambassador Jill Gallard and the Vice President of the Bund deutscher Baumschulen (BdB) e.V., Gabriele Bschorr, together with the Bavarian Minister of State for European Affairs and International Affairs, Melanie Huml, and the British Consul General, Simon Kendall, planted a horse chestnut tree in the prominent English Garden in Munich on September 27, 2023.
The planting of this tree follows on from an initiative to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Throne Jubilee in the United Kingdom and also in Germany. This year, trees of various species have already been planted in Berlin, Hanover, Hamburg and Bremen as a contribution to an environment worth living in and as a lasting legacy of the Queen’s 70-year reign. More trees are to be planted in memory of Queen Elizabeth II by the end of the year, including in Düsseldorf and Paderborn.
Association of German Nurseries as project partner
As a project partner, the BdB guarantees that the right tree is selected for each location. The selection of trees is particularly important in view of the clearly noticeable climatic changes.
Minister for Europe Melanie Huml: “The death of Queen Elizabeth II marks the end of an era. During her 70-year reign, she was a globally recognized moral authority and an anchor of stability. Today’s tree planting in memory of Queen Elizabeth II is a symbol of this endurance and symbolizes the support she gave to the people of the UK and beyond. She also moved many people in Bavaria, for example during her first visit to Munich in May 1965.”
Ambassador Jill Gallard considers the English Garden in Munich to be a particularly suitable location: “Queen Elizabeth II has made many trips to Germany, including five state visits. She came to Munich during her first state visit to Germany in 1965. We are therefore delighted to be able to plant this horse chestnut here in the English Garden. It is a great stroke of luck that we were able to gain the Bund deutscher Baumschulen as a partner for this. He not only donates the trees, but also supports us with expert advice and assistance. For me, a tree is a beautiful metaphor for German-British relations, for change and stability.”
“The joint partnership between the British Embassy and the Association of German Nurseries is perfect for such an occasion. For it is not only the monarchy that embodies a seemingly iron continuity, but also the products of our nurseries. Furthermore, with their products, German tree nurseries make an important contribution to future-proofing the green infrastructure, which is coming under pressure from climate change and other phenomena. May this tree be a symbol of friendship between our countries,” explains Gabriele Bschorr, BdB Vice President.
Where exactly is the tree?
The tree is located at the southern entrance (via the pedestrian tunnel on “von der Tann-Straße”) to the English Garden on the right at the pedestrian bridge Köglmühlbach and Schwabinger Bach (near the American Consulate and P1/Haus der Kunst). GPS coordinates: 48.14514, 11.58491
Note: Press release with the kind permission of the Association of German Tree Nurseries, the project partner for the tree planting.