Watch the cedar tree planted by Queen Mary nearly 100 years ago
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A cedar tree that was planted by Queen Mary in 1922 at Westonbirt School in Gloucestershire is standing as tall as the country house beside it even after 100 years.
A rare photo shows the Queen’s grandmother, Queen Mary planting the stunning cedar tree as a sapling in 1922 at Westonbirt School, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire nearly a century ago.
Queen Mary can be seen in the rare photo wearing an all-white dress with a grand hat after planting the cedar tree.
Queen Mary, who ruled as Queen consort from 1911-1936, was the wife of Queen Victoria’s grandson King George V.
Queen Mary supported her husband through the First World War. After her husband’s death in 1936, she became queen mother when her eldest son, Edward VIII, ascended the throne.
However, Edward VIII abdicated later the same year to marry divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson.
A wealthy Holford family, who were friends of the Royals, invited her to Westonbirt House to plant the cedar tree.
The stunning cedar tree now stands as tall as the country house beside it which is now a part of Westonbirt School. The Westonbirt School for girls was founded in 1928.
The Forestry Commission released the black-and-white photo that shows Queen Mary planting the stunning cedar tree as a sapling in 1922 at Westonbirt School, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire nearly a century ago.
According to DailyMail, Andy Bryce, Collection Manager at Westonbirt Arboretum, said: “The Forestry Commission is steeped in fascinating history, from its inauguration after the First World War, through to the present day.”
“As our arborist and collection teams do now, Queen Mary planted the blue atlas cedar for the benefit of future generations. We’re delighted that it still stands today.”