RESIDENTS in Whorlton had to get their spades out for the second year in a row, after suppliers delivered the wrong coloured tree for their village green.
To commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee the village voted to plant a copper beech last year.
By the time tree was delivered in November last year the Queen had died, so it was also decided a marble plaque should be made to commemorate both her reign and her jubilee.
In gold letters the plaque reads: “This copper beech was planted in November 2022 to commemorate the platinum jubilee and reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.” .
So, it came as a bit of a shock when the tree’s foliage sprouted in the spring it bore green leaves.
Resident Mary Statsny said: “The tree was ordered from Elm Ridge Nursery and it was delivered last year in the winter.
“Being deciduous, the tree arrived with no leaves at all,” she added.
“When it sprouted leaves, it was a green one but by that time the nursery was closed and the plaque was made.
“We couldn’t leave it as it was given the overwhelming vote from villagers for a copper beech.”
Peter Bigge, of Whorlton Croft, came to the rescue sourcing a six-foot copper beech and donating it to the village and residents gathered again for another tree planting ceremony.
The original green beech tree has since found a new home.
