Plant A Tree In '73
Encyclopedia
Plant A Tree In '73 was a Government-sponsored national campaign in the United Kingdom
, aimed at encouraging the population to participate by planting trees during the 1973 'National Tree Planting Year'. At the time a new, virulent strain of Dutch Elm Disease
was sweeping the country, killing millions of trees.
Sir Sydney Chapman
. He formally proposed the idea in a parliamentary question to Peter Walker
, the Secretary of State for the Environment
on 28 July 1971, who announced his backing on 1 March 1972. As a result, a committee was set up to run the campaign, chaired by Lord Sandford
.
Many organisations, including local authorities, youth organisations, schools, businesses and communities supported the campaign by planting or donating trees, or making land available. The Forestry Commission
donated some 90,000 trees to schools and a further 70,000 for joint projects with local authorities, as did other organisations including the Crown Estate Commissioners
. The Royal Mail
also marked the campaign my issuing a 9p commemorative stamp
, first issued
on 28 February 1973.
was founded in 1974 to act as an umbrella organisation for local groups involved in the planting, care and conservation of trees throughout the United Kingdom. From its foundation through to 2007 it estimated that over 20 million trees have been planted during the annual National Tree Weeks.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, aimed at encouraging the population to participate by planting trees during the 1973 'National Tree Planting Year'. At the time a new, virulent strain of Dutch Elm Disease
Dutch elm disease
Dutch elm disease is a disease caused by a member of the sac fungi category, affecting elm trees which is spread by the elm bark beetle. Although believed to be originally native to Asia, the disease has been accidentally introduced into America and Europe, where it has devastated native...
was sweeping the country, killing millions of trees.
The campaign
The campaign was instigated by Member of ParliamentMember of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
Sir Sydney Chapman
Sydney Chapman (politician)
Sir Sydney Brookes Chapman is an English politician and architect. He was Conservative Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet from 1979 until he stepped down at the 2005 general election....
. He formally proposed the idea in a parliamentary question to Peter Walker
Peter Walker, Baron Walker of Worcester
Peter Edward Walker, Baron Walker of Worcester, MBE, PC , was British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he served in the Cabinet as the Environment Secretary , Trade and Industry Secretary , Agriculture Minister , Energy Secretary and Welsh Secretary...
, the Secretary of State for the Environment
Secretary of State for the Environment
The Secretary of State for the Environment was a UK cabinet position, responsible for the Department of the Environment . This was created by Edward Heath as a combination of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Public Building and Works on 15...
on 28 July 1971, who announced his backing on 1 March 1972. As a result, a committee was set up to run the campaign, chaired by Lord Sandford
John Edmondson, 2nd Baron Sandford
Commander John Cyril Edmondson, 2nd Baron Sandford, DSC was a decorated Royal Navy officer, Church of England clergyman, conservationist and Conservative politician...
.
Many organisations, including local authorities, youth organisations, schools, businesses and communities supported the campaign by planting or donating trees, or making land available. The Forestry Commission
Forestry Commission
The Forestry Commission is a non-ministerial government department responsible for forestry in Great Britain. Its mission is to protect and expand Britain's forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment....
donated some 90,000 trees to schools and a further 70,000 for joint projects with local authorities, as did other organisations including the Crown Estate Commissioners
Crown Estate
In the United Kingdom, the Crown Estate is a property portfolio owned by the Crown. Although still belonging to the monarch and inherent with the accession of the throne, it is no longer the private property of the reigning monarch and cannot be sold by him/her, nor do the revenues from it belong...
. The Royal Mail
Royal Mail
Royal Mail is the government-owned postal service in the United Kingdom. Royal Mail Holdings plc owns Royal Mail Group Limited, which in turn operates the brands Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide...
also marked the campaign my issuing a 9p commemorative stamp
Commemorative stamp
A commemorative stamp is a postage stamp, often issued on a significant date such as an anniversary, to honor or commemorate a place, event or person. The subject of the commemorative stamp is usually spelled out in print, unlike definitive stamps which normally depict the subject along with the...
, first issued
First day of issue
A First Day of Issue Cover or First Day Cover is a postage stamp on a cover, postal card or stamped envelope franked on the first day the issue is authorized for use within the country or territory of the stamp-issuing authority. Sometimes the issue is made from a temporary or permanent foreign or...
on 28 February 1973.
Aftermath
In the wake of the campaign, The Tree CouncilThe Tree Council (UK)
The Tree Council was founded in 1974 in the United Kingdom, and became a registered charity in 1978. Its primary objective is to act as an umbrella organisation for local groups involved in the planting, care and conservation of trees throughout the United Kingdom, and followed the successful...
was founded in 1974 to act as an umbrella organisation for local groups involved in the planting, care and conservation of trees throughout the United Kingdom. From its foundation through to 2007 it estimated that over 20 million trees have been planted during the annual National Tree Weeks.
See also
- The Big Tree PlantThe Big Tree PlantLaunched in December 2010, The Big Tree Plant is a Government-sponsored campaign in England to promote the planting of one million trees in neighbourhoods where people live and work...
- a similar campaign launched in December 2010 - Great Storm of 1987Great Storm of 1987The Great Storm of 1987 occurred on the night of 15/16 October 1987, when an unusually strong weather system caused winds to hit much of southern England and northern France...
- TreeplantingTreeplantingTree planting is the process of transplanting tree seedlings, generally for forestry, land reclamation, or landscaping purposes. It differs from the transplantation of larger trees in arboriculture, and from the lower cost but slower and less reliable distribution of tree seeds.In silviculture the...