News

Prince Charles says renewed Regent’s Park cherry trees will “lift the spirits”

27 August 2015

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His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is supporting our campaign to restore the iconic Cherry Tree Avenue on Chester Road in London’s Regent’s Park.

Nearly 40 years ago, Royal Parks’ gardeners planted 100 cherry trees along Chester Road in Regent’s Park, helping create a stunning horticultural display enjoyed by millions of visitors each spring. However, last February, those trees had to be removed having reached the end of their natural lifespan.

To help keep Regent’s Park looking beautiful we’re supporting a restoration project to reinstate the cherry trees on Chester Road, which is one of the main gateways to the Park. And with your help, 100 new Prunus Sunset Boulevard will be planted this November.

The Prince of Wales said "Historic avenues of trees are one of the things that make the Parks so special, which is why I am so pleased to support the Royal Parks Foundation’s vision to restore the Cherry Tree Avenue in The Regent’s Park. The proposed planting will bring pink tinted blossom in the Spring and yellow-golden leaves to lift the spirits every Autumn. I am sure the many visitors to the park will derive great pleasure from this changing spectacle of the seasons. I can only hope that you will feel able to support this splendid restoration in any way you can.”

The tradition of planting cherry trees in Regent’s Park began in the 1930s, when Queen Mary’s Rose Garden was created with donations from the artist Sigismund Goetze. The last cherry tree was planted on Chester Road in 1978, and reached the end of life in February 2015, leaving the parks without these beautiful and iconic trees.

For more information on how you can support the Royal Parks Foundation’s Cherry Tree Avenue with a gift or sponsor one of the remaining cherry trees at £1776 each, click here: https://SupportTheRoyalParks.org/BringBackTheBlossom