King’s Coronation oak sapling planted at Ten Acre Field on the Moreton Hall estate in Bury St Edmunds

​​​​​A new oak tree has been planted by volunteers in a Suffolk town, close to where an ancient tree once stood.

The King’s Coronation oak sapling was planted by volunteers in Bury St Edmunds earlier this month.

It was planted at Ten Acre Field, on the Moreton Hall estate, next to an oak tree thought to be between 300 to 350 years old, which collapsed in July 2000.

Mike Hollins, treasurer of the Woodlands Way charity, was selected to plant the new sapling from Windsor Great Park, to celebrate the King’s Coronation.

He said: “The ancient oak that stood for hundreds of years at the entrance to Ten Acre Field was much loved. We hope that this oak sapling will flourish and be stood here for centuries more to come.”

Cllr Ian Shipp, cabinet member for leisure at West Suffolk Council, said: “As a council we will have planted around 200 heavy standard trees this planting season and we are always looking to do more as part of our wider work supporting biodiversity and environmental resilience.

“This oak honours our King and we wish him well in his cancer battle. I look forward seeing this Coronation oak sapling as it grows and is appreciated and enjoyed for a great many years to come.”