Saplings from two iconic trees in Nottinghamshire have been planted in the garden of the US Ambassador’s official residence at Winfield House in London.

A sapling grafted from the original Bramley Apple tree in Southwell and a Sherwood oak sapling grown from an acorn of the historic Major Oak were presented by the outgoing High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Paul Southby.

The Bramley’s new home is next to a fruit tree planted by Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the US, while the oak is in a clearing where a large ash tree had fallen.

Nottingham Trent University donated the Bramley sapling, while the oak sapling has been provided by the Sherwood Forest Trust.

Nottinghamshire first began to establish links with the US Embassy six years ago to help achieve a better working relationship between Robin Hood’s county and America.

The process was boosted in its early stages by the enthusiasm for his home county of John Lunt, who is originally from Mansfield and has worked for more than 20 years at the US Embassy.

The High Sheriff said: “There was some discussion in 2017 of the county making a donation of something appropriate as a sign of permanent friendship with the US Embassy and the US Ambassador to the UK.

“At that time the project did not bear fruit, but I have made it my business during my year as High Sheriff, ably assisted by embassy staff, to finish it off.
The High Sheriff was joined at the planting ceremony by Nottinghamshire County Council chairman Coun Roger Jackson; and Dr Patrick Candler, chief executive of The Sherwood Forest Trust, and his wife, Sandi Henson.

It was also attended by the US agricultural attaché to the UK, Cynthia Guven.

Dr Candler said: “The young oak has been grown from an acorn of the Major Oak — a mighty forest veteran said to be over 1,000 years old and still flourishing.

“It was once voted England’s Most Loved Tree and has long been a tourist landmark in what is today the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve.

“The Sherwood Forest Trust is a conservation charity, which has worked for over 30 years to protect, conserve, and celebrate England’s most iconic forest. The sapling has been nurtured by staff and volunteers at the trust’s Community Tree Nursery in Sherwood Forest.”

Professor Edward Peck, president and vice-chancellor of Nottingham Trent University (NTU), said: “NTU has been custodian of the original Bramley apple tree, situated near to our Brackenhurst Campus in Southwell for many years. The Bramley is a much-loved and cherished part of local history and heritage and we are delighted to be able to play a role in helping celebrate that.”

Winfield House has the second largest private garden in London after Buckingham Palace, covering 12 acres.

It was built for the American heiress Barbara Woolworth Hutton, who was at one time married to actor Cary Grant.