The Coronation Oak trees were planted in May, 1937

Oak seedlings were propagated from acorns gathered from trees at Windsor Great Park. They were distributed throughout the Commonwealth to commemorate the coronation of George VI and his wife Elizabeth – the parents of our current Queen Elizabeth II. 

Windsor Forest still has some huge, ancient, solitary oaks standing in the Park. According to experts, the oldest,Offa’s Oak, might be 1500 years old! Offa was a Saxon king in the 8th century.

I know the location of three Coronation Oaks on Salt Spring. Many of them across the country were placed at Anglican churches and cemeteries and that is true of two of them on the island.

The first is located at St. Mary’s, across the street from Fulford Hall. It is an historic 1894 Anglican parish church. The beautiful English oak is planted at the front of the church – you can’t miss it.

The second is on the SW corner of Fulford-Ganges Road and Dean Road. This...

Yum - this is an Early Yellow Plum but it should have been called extra early. Ours is often ripe on July 1 but the wet and cold weather this year has set it back a week. It is the first tree fruit to ripen in the yard by a long shot and wins the honour of being named favorite because of that! 

The flavour is quite nice and the fragrance intoxicating but only for a brief time. It quickly turns redder and mealy. Not great for fresh eating then but it still makes delicious wine or pretty jam that point. This single tree can produce 400 pounds of fruit in a good year.

I know of three or four others on Salt Spring. I think they were available about 16 years ago at one of our island nurseries - either Foxglove or Fraser's Thimble Farms - and I'm really happy one is growing in our yard. Establishing fruit trees on your property can be a great way to add value and you get the added benefit of fresh fruit!

Note to readers: I tend to have new favorites as the season progresses so stay tuned....