IT'S only right that a sapling planted to mark the Millennium should be as old as the Millennium itself.
Civic leaders at Chester-le-Street last week planted a cutting from a 2,000-year-old yew tree at the entrance to the North Lodge estate. The tree - a sapling grown from the famous ancient Staunton Yew in Gloucestershire - was planted by local Durham County councillor Christine Smith, with the help of North Lodge parish councillors.
Pupils from Park View Community School also got their hands dirty helping to plant the tree after designing the metal surround for it, which will protect it during its early years of growth.
North Lodge Parish Council chairman Margaret Caygill said: "We hope this yew tree will still be growing in North Lodge in another 2,000 years.
"If that is to happen, it will need care and attention from our children, our children's children and generations to come."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article