Jubilee Green Canopy: Britons to plant trees to mark Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on throne

The monarch herself has planted more than 1,500 trees around the world during her reign

Queen Elizabeth II in Deptford, London, during a walkabout to commemorate her Silver Jubilee in 1977. Getty Images

A Royal fan shows his banner, which says 'Liz II OK', on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. Getty Images

Residents in St Matthews Road, Brixton after they won a competition for the best decorated street to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, south London, 1977. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth watches a parade with her family during celebrations for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip ride in the Golden State Carriage at the head of a parade from Buckingham Palace to St Paul's Cathedral celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth travels through Trafalgar Square by carriage on the way to Buckingham Palace during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012. Getty Images

The Spirit of Chartwell, the ship carrying Queen Elizabeth and members of the royal family, travels along the Thames during the River Pageant of the Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Getty Images

Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth, Prince William, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the finale of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles on stage with artists including Elton John and Paul McCartney during the Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in 2012. Getty Images

Britons will be encouraged to plant trees to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 70th anniversary on the throne, as part of a plan to create a greener country in honour of her seven decades of service.

The 94-year-old queen, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, is due to mark her Platinum Jubilee in February 2022. The gallery above chronicles celebrations from jubilees past.

The UK government is planning a four-day celebration that summer, featuring an extra day's public holiday, with tree-planting to be a feature of the milestone, according to an announcement on Sunday.

Named The Queen's Green Canopy, the charity-backed project will encourage communities, schools, councils and landowners to plant native trees to help the environment and make local areas greener.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the health crisis and pandemic had reminded people of the importance of nature and green spaces and that trees could transform communities as well as help tackle climate change.

"As we celebrate Her Majesty’s incredible 70 years of service, I encourage everyone to get behind this scheme and go 'Plant a Tree for the Jubilee,'" Johnson said.

Charities Cool Earth and Woodland Trust said the planting of trees would create a special gift for the monarch, who has planted more than 1,500 trees around the world during her reign.

Queen Elizabeth II, who is also the world's current oldest and longest-reigning monarch, became queen on February 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI.

The British royal family have been vocal campaigners on a host of environmental issues, with the Queen's son, Prince Charles, speaking out for decades about the impact of climate change and the importance of conservation, and her grandson Prince William also taking up the mantle.