Ancient Cambridge tree lit up by pedal-power during Coronation Concert
Over 12,500 lights were powered by 25 students, volunteers and staff
Last updated 9th May 2023
An ancient pine tree was lit up during the King's Coronation Concert by 25 students, volunteers and staff riding eco-bikes.
It was one of 10 locations chosen to be part of the 'Lighting up the Nation' project during the concert on Sunday (7th May) night.
The Black Pine, or Pinus nigra, forms part of the Garden's tree collection along the Garden's Main walk.
Why was Cambridge chosen?
The ancient tree was chosen to highlight the King's commitment to green energy and conservation.
The lighting on the tree was powered by a cohort of cyclists drawn from Cambridge University institutions with links to His Majesty and representing areas of the University’s work that the King has particular interest in – Cambridge Zero, the Cambridge Trust and Homerton College - as well as the Botanic Garden.
The garden's director, Beverley Glover, said being chosen as one of the ten locations was "a great honour".
She added: "CUBG’s tree collection dates back to the founding of the Garden on this site and is the vision of our founder and Charles Darwin’s mentor - John Stevens Henslow.
"The Pinus nigra, Black Pine, is one of the first Garden plantings and it is interesting because it was selected by Henslow to demonstrate how plants even within the same species can be different."