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Oaks at 80 project launched to commemorate upcoming 80th anniversary of the end of World War II
A project to plant oak trees to commemorate the end of World War II was launched recently by The Mersey Forest at Calderstones Park, in Liverpool.
The Oaks at 80 project will see communities across the area plant oak trees to honour the service men and women and civilians from the area who played their part to defend our country and way of life.
Oak trees have traditionally marked 80-year milestones and embody strength, resilience and longevity - virtues that resonate deeply with the sacrifices made during World War II and the hopeful spirit of peace that followed.
The launch event took place at Calderstones Park, Liverpool, in partnership with The Reader, where project supporters, partners, and members of the public came together to celebrate the start of this commemorative campaign. A new oak tree was planted within Calderstones Park, not far from the ancient Allerton Oak, which is one of the park's most famous attractions.
Free oak saplings were handed out to visitors to the park on Remembrance weekend, and craft and storytelling activities, designed to inspire the next generation to nurture the environment, were on offer in the mansion house.
The event paid tribute to Liverpool's iconic Allerton Oak, believed to be more than 1,000 years old. During the Second World War, leaves and acorns from the Allerton Oak were given to soldiers leaving to fight on the European battlefront as a reminder of home. Some speculate that acorns from the Allerton Oak may have been planted in European soil, potentially making this remarkable tree an ancestor to others abroad. This legacy of resilience and connection served as the inspiration for the Oaks at 80 project.
Paul Nolan, Director of the Mersey Forest, said: "Oaks at 80 is about remembering the past and planting for the future. By coming together to plant trees, we not only honour the sacrifices of those who lived through World War II but also create a long-lasting commemoration, that will benefit our communities and environment for generations to come."
As part of the project, The Mersey Forest will work closely with local communities throughout 2025 to plant oak trees in their neighbourhoods.
Individuals, schools, and community groups are also invited to play their part in this living legacy by growing their own trees from seed or organising their own tree-planting events during the 2025/26 tree planting season.
For more information on how to get involved, visit: Oaks at 80 project
