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Veterans’ Oaks is a nationwide, community-led initiative to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two – historically marked as the ‘oak anniversary’. Through the symbolic act of planting oak trees across the United Kingdom, we commemorate, remember and celebrate the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of the generation who lived through the war – both military personnel and civilians – and pledge to safeguard the nations’ environmental future in our struggle against climate change.
The oak tree is a symbol of British culture: of strength, unity, and endurance. It reflects values embodied by those who lived through wartime adversity. Veterans’ Oaks invites the Armed Forces Community and their families, all individuals, community groups, and businesses to plant oak trees as living memorials.*
Veterans’ Oaks bridges past and future, uniting memory, education and commemoration with sustainability, urging us to honour history while protecting the world for generations to come. The act of planting is a tangible action of remembrance which also contributes to biodiversity, enriches our natural heritage, and helps fight climate change.
*Where the phrase “Armed Forces Community” is used, it is meant to include all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown, the families of both, and those who are bereaved. This includes all Veterans and their families.
The Forestry Commission helps to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges through thriving trees, woods and forests. The Commission administers grants in England for new woodlands and managing those we have. It also provides advice to the Government, undertakes research, sets standards for good forestry practice and protects Britain’s forests from pests and diseases. The Commission, through Forestry England, is also the largest land manager in England, providing much needed timber for our homes, outdoor recreation for our health and wellbeing and wider benefits for nature and our environment.
The Duchy of Cornwall is an estate committed to empowering healthy communities, championing its tenants, supporting mental health, and tackling climate challenges through its net zero goal and environmental initiatives. It aims to generate positive impact and value for the future, balancing the environmental, social and economic needs of its communities. The Duchy of Cornwall is proud to support ‘Veterans’ Oaks’ with Geraint Richards MVO OBE FICFor, Head Forester to The Duchy of Cornwall and to His Majesty The King, actively involved in the development and the delivery of the initiative.
As the Confederation of Service Charities, Cobseo is a membership organisation that provides a single point of contact for interaction with Government, including local government and the Devolved Administrations; with the Royal Household; with the Private Sector; and with other members of the Armed Forces Community.