Verdun tree facts for kids

The Verdun trees are special oak and horse chestnut trees. They were planted in the United Kingdom after World War I, also known as the First World War. These trees are living memorials to remember the brave soldiers and the terrible battles.

The story of these trees began on the battlefields of Verdun in France. During World War I, one of the longest and toughest battles took place there. After the war, people collected acorns and chestnuts from trees that had survived the fighting at Verdun. These seeds were then sent to England.

Why Plant Verdun Trees?

The seeds from Verdun were planted across the UK as a way to remember the war. Each tree became a symbol of peace and hope, honoring those who fought and those who were lost. It was a unique way to keep the memory alive for future generations.

Helping Others After the War

Some of the Verdun seeds were sold to help people. In 1917, the London and North Western Railway company sold some of these seeds. The money they raised went to the War Seal Foundation. This foundation was started by Oswald Stoll to help soldiers and their families who were affected by the war. Other seeds might have been brought back to the UK by a famous military leader, Field Marshal Lord French.

Famous Verdun Tree Plantings

Many important people and places received Verdun trees. These trees were planted in special ceremonies to mark the end of the war and to honor its memory.

Royal Plantings

Queen Mary herself planted a Verdun oak tree. This happened on 28 January 1920, at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. This estate is a country home for the Royal Family.

Trees at Kew Gardens

Two Verdun oak trees were planted at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London. This was on Peace Day, 19 July 1919, a day to celebrate the end of the war. One of these trees is still there today, but the other was removed in 2014.

Where Can You Find Verdun Trees?

Many Verdun trees are still growing in different parts of the UK. They stand tall as a reminder of history.

• In Coventry, you can find Verdun oaks in the War Memorial Park, Coventry and in Spencer Park, Coventry.
• There's a likely Verdun oak in Queens Park, Crewe, Cheshire.
• Another one is in Pembridge, Herefordshire.
• You can also find a Verdun oak in Southwold, Suffolk.
• Grange Park in Leominster has one.
• Beaumont Park, Huddersfield, is special because it has two Verdun oak trees and some Verdun horse chestnuts.
• There's a Verdun oak at Corby Castle, Carlisle.
• You can see one in Forbury Gardens, Reading.
• Near the Hale War Memorial in Surrey, there's another Verdun oak.
• A Verdun horse chestnut was planted in St Albans in January 1976. It was part of a group of twenty trees.

Hidden and Lost Trees

Many other Verdun trees are believed to exist, but their exact locations are not always known. Some might be in Walpole Park, Ealing, and in towns like Whitehaven and Swansea. Sadly, some Verdun trees have also been removed over time. For example, one was at Upton Lawn, Cheshire, and another at Moorcourt Estate, Pembridge. An original Verdun oak in the Garden of Remembrance in Lichfield was replaced by a new tree grown from one of its own acorns.

The Next Generation of Verdun Trees

As the original Verdun trees grew older, reaching nearly 100 years, people wanted to make sure their legacy continued. In 2016, the Woodland Trust, a charity that protects trees, started a project. They began growing a second generation of Verdun trees from the seeds of the original ones. This means that the story and memory of the Verdun trees will live on for many more years.