OTTAWA-Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond, accompanied by their daughter, Marie-Éden, will participate in a tree planting ceremony to commemorate the end of their mandate on Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 3:30 p.m.
Their Excellencies and Marie-Éden will plant a bur oak tree. After this ceremony, a total of 128 trees will have been planted on the 32-hectare (79 acres) grounds of the official residence of the governor general.
Commemorative trees mark visits by members of the Royal Family, heads of State and other dignitaries. They also are planted for special anniversaries and at the end of a governor general's mandate. The tradition began in 1906 with the visit of Prince Arthur of Connaught, the son of Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught, and later governor general. The red oak he planted still stands over the far end of the Upper Terrace Garden.
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PHOTO OP: Media wishing to cover this event are asked to be on site no later than 3:15 p.m. The ceremony will be held near the Visitor Centre, located beside Sussex Gate.
Marie-Ève Létourneau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-0287
613-302-0912 (cell.)
marie-eve.letourneau@gg.ca
www.gg.ca
List of trees planted by former governors general and their spouses
Sugar Maple
The Duke of Devonshire, May 1917
Sugar Maple
The Duchess of Devonshire, May 1917
Red Oak
The Right Honourable Vincent Massey, October 22, 1957
Red Maple
The Right Honourable Roland Michener, November 12, 1971
White Pine
Mrs. Norah Michener, November 12, 1971
White Ash
The Right Honourable Jules Léger, September 22, 1977
Sugar Maple
Mrs. Gabrielle Léger, September 22, 1977
Sugar Maple
The Right Honourable Edward Schreyer, Mrs. Lily Schreyer and family, April 24, 1984
Red Maple
The Right Honourable Jeanne Sauvé, November 3, 1989
Red Maple
The Honourable Maurice Sauvé, November 3, 1989
Bur Oak
The Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, November 18, 1994
Bur Oak
Mrs. Gerda Hnatyshyn, November 18, 1994
White Birch
The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc, October 1, 1999
White Oak
The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, September 26, 2005
White Oak
Mr. John Ralston Saul, September 26, 2005
