Special Tree Planting Event 26th April 2011
A special tree planting event took place at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Tuesday 26th April 2011 to mark the wedding of it's Appeal Patron HRH Prince William.The tree ,Cornus Controversa ,originates from Japan and Korea but has been grown in the UK since the 1880's.It's common name is the Wedding Cake Tree- so called because it's layered branches form tiers like a wedding cake.It was planted by Major General Patrick Cordingley DSO Chairman of the the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal,Patrick was Commander of the Desert Rats in the first Gulf War.
The tree is sited at the top of The Beat near the Police Garden,with a dedicated plaque alongside.It will have broad clusters of creamy flowers covering it's branches in May,while small,black fruits will develop in autumn as the foliage turns to a rich purple- red