TREES planted in Kilmacolm have been dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth II as part of a major environmental project.

Lord-Lieutenant Colonel Peter McCarthy visited Birkmyre Park in the village, where 25 trees have now been adopted as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.

It was established to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee last year, with people invited to ‘plant a tree to mark the jubilee’.

The scheme has continued at the wishes of the King as a lasting tribute to his late mother and Britain’s longest reigning monarch.

Colonel McCarthy said: “It’s marvellous to see a beautiful mix of trees and in the fullness of time they will be surrounded by wildflowers which also supports biodiversity.

“The Queen was such a passionate advocate for nature, wildlife, and the environment and it is a wonderful gesture that the trees here in Birkmyre Park have been included as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy project.

“Her Majesty of course visited Inverclyde as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012 and I’m absolutely delighted to see the Queen's memory marked in this way.

"I am enormously grateful to Inverclyde Council for this initiative.”

The trees in Kilmacolm are part of a community-led £65,000 improvement project for Birkmyre Park being delivered by the council.

It will also include the addition of wildflowers, additional seating and picnic tables, and an extension to the children’s play park.

Colonel McCarthy was joined by Michael McCormick, environment and regeneration convener, and ward councillors Stephen McCabe, David Wilson and Chris Curley.

Cllr McCormick said: “It’s a fitting tribute to the late Queen that these trees have been dedicated in her memory.

“As well as honouring Her Majesty, the project has nature and the environment at its heart – something Queen Elizabeth was passionate about during her reign – and it aligns perfectly with the council’s ambitions to plant more trees, improve biodiversity and do what we can to reduce and offset harmful carbon emissions.”

A mixture of species have been planted in Birkmyre Park, including two varieties of acer, two types of cherry and silver birch.

Over a million trees were planted in Her Majesty’s name across the nation during the first planting season alone from October 2021 to March 2022.

An extension until the end of this month will build on this legacy to serve as a lasting tribute to the Queen’s service to her country and her people.