Proceeds from a fundraising dinner at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church will go to protect an oak tree at the church property.
The 65-year-old tree, with a plaque which reads “Queen Elizabeth’s Oak,” was planted by the Summerland Girl Guides on Coronation Day, June 2, 1953.
The tree was a sapling from an oak on the Windsor Castle grounds, obtained for Summerland by Canon F.V. Harrison.
It is the first of the trees in the municipality’s registry of heritage buildings, sites and trees.
Although the tree is still a Summerland landmark, members of the church want to ensure it is protected for the future.
“This is a tree we want to keep and preserve,” said Rachel Corbet, one of the organizers of the fundraising dinner.
The church will construct a parking lot beside the building, at the site of the former rectory.
To protect the tree and its root system, a wall will be constructed around it.
On Saturday evening, the church held its fourth annual lobster dinner and fundraiser to raise money for the tree protection work.
Corbet said the final numbers have not yet been calculated, but the fundraiser was expected to bring in $2,500 for the project.
