A SAPLING cultivated from Chirk's famous Pontfadog Oak is to be planted at Chirk Castle as part of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations.

Looked after by generations of the Williams family at Cilcochwyn Farm near Chirk, the Pontfadog Oak, believed to be one of the biggest and oldest oak trees in the world, fell during a storm in 2013.

At the time, The Crown Estate successfully cultivated a plant from the original oak tree and planted one in Windsor Great Park, which has stayed on the estate.

Another five Pontfadog Oaks were propagated from this tree and have since been given back to Wales through their National Botanic Garden, where they will be kept until next planting season.

As they have been scattered, two of the saplings will be planted at National Trust Cymru locations in north east Wales, one at Chirk Castle, and another at the commemorative woodlands at Erddig, as request by the First Minister, while the rest will be planted at the botanic garden.

First Minister of Wales, Marj Drakeford said: "The trees have an incredible history having been grafted from such a grand and ancient Oak.

"I hope that the trees will grow and develop into mighty Oaks that will stand for centuries to come."

Rebecca Summers, Curator of the National Botanic Garden of Wales, said: "We are proud to provide a home for two of these significant saplings at Chirk Castle and at the commemorative woodland in Erddig.

"We hope to see these saplings grow to become the ancient trees of the future."

The ones that will stay at the botanic garden, will be part of their plans to protect the gene pool of the iconic oak.

Paul Sedgwick, Deputy Ranger & Managing Director of Windsor & Rural at The Crown Estate, added: "We were delighted to play a role in propagating and growing these young Pontfadog Oak trees and for them to be planted in Wales for future generations to enjoy."