Memorial cherry trees planted in Oxford by G7 health leaders

The Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock, alongside other health leaders and a local chief nurse, planted ten Japanese cherry blossom trees, or Sakura trees at the Oxford Botanic Gardens.

This was the equivalent of one tree for each representative of the G7, as well as the World Health Organisation and global healthcare staff.

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In Japan, the trees are said to act as a metaphor for the finite nature of life.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock, said: “Oxford has played a central role in showing us the road out of the pandemic and their Botanic Gardens now have a fitting tribute for people to be able to reflect and remember those that have been lost.”

A memorial plaque on the trees planted in the Oxford Botanic Garden. Picture: Sean Ebsworth Barnes

Sam Foster, chief nursing officer at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, administered the first Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine to a patient outside of clinical trials, on January 4.

She also planted a memorial tree on behalf of health and care staff around the world.

She said said: “It is a great honour to be asked to plant a tree to remember all the dedicated nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals who have cared for people with Covid-19, including those who have lost their lives during the pandemic."

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The UK-hosted G7 health ministers meeting this week brought together health leaders from the world’s major democracies to agree action on preventing future pandemics and a shared vaccine passport scheme.

The Oxford Botanic Garden is one of the oldest botanic gardens in the world and began as a physic garden where healing plants were grown and students were taught how to identify medicinal plants in the 17th and 18th centuries.