AN OAK Tree chosen to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee has finally been planted in the grounds of Dunster Castle by the Dunster WI.

Although Beryl Priddle, former president of the WI had suggested planting the commemorative tree in March 2012, the planting had to be delayed because of a landscaping project at Dunster Castle last year.

Instead, the WI purchased the six foot tree which was carefully potted and cared for in the National Trust’s nursery at Dunster Castle.

Stephen Hayes, the National Trust’s administrator at Dunster Castle said: “We were approached by the WI who chose the castle as their site for the tree because of the historic links between Dunster WI and the Luttrell family over the 94 years of its existence.

Because the landscaping caused an inevitable delay, it has become a rather belated celebration of the jubilee.”

The oak was chosen because it is seen as the quintessential English tree and it also features in the National Trust logo.

The Jubilee oak is the first of the new tree planting to take place at Dunster Castle as part of the work in the grounds.

Mrs Anne Luttrell planted the tree on Tuesday (January 14) followed by tee and tree shaped cake in the castle.

Former WI president Beryl Priddle said: “From little acorns, large oaks do grow, albeit very slowly.

“It’s taken a little while four our WI Jubilee oak to be planted, but it’s well worth the wait to see out plan come to fruition.”