THERE must be scores, even hundreds, of trees planted across the region by town mayors to commemorate coronations past but, sadly, now most have been forgotten as, over the decades, the plaques that once told their stories have gone missing.

In Darlington’s South Park, there are three pairs of Coronation Oaks although you would be hard pressed to find any of them as they have become lost in the trees around them.

The Northern Echo: The coronation oaks in South Park, Darlington

As the park only opened in the 1850s, the first coronation it could commemorate was that of Edward VII, although his wedding in 1863 was marked by the planting of the two giant redwood trees near the Park Lodge for which the park is famous.

Edward’s coronation was delayed by his emergency operation, and the trees were put in the ground on October 22, 1902, six weeks after the service in Westminster Abbey.

They are to the right of the park café, overlooking the bowling green.

The mayor, ED Walker, and his wife planted the trees and made loads of tree-related puns about how deep rooted Darlington’s affection was for the monarchy.

"Tea and light refreshments were served in the large marquee erected near the parkkeeper's residence, and the mayoress personally distributed innumerable pieces of huge coronation cake," said The Northern Echo.

A telegram was despatched to the King telling him of the successful planting, and he replied with his thanks.

The Northern Echo: The two oaks planted on George V's coronation day in 1911 in South Park, although you would never know they were a pair

On Coronation Day 1911, another pair of oaks (above) was planted by the mayor, Dr Lewis Eastwood, and his wife on the lawn on the right inside the gate, where a putting green used to be. These are the most easily found of all the park’s Coronation Oaks because they are the only trees on the lawn, although they do not look like a pair.

Dr Eastwood, a chemist, said he hoped the trees would “grow and flourish exceedingly”. The one nearest the Park Lodge has flourished, but the one nearest the gate has grown gnarled, wizened and stunted so it is impossible to believe that they are a pair.

The Northern Echo: Darlington mayor Richard Luck outside the Market Tavern (now the Pennyweight), in the Market Square on December 16, 1936, leading a loyal cheer to the new king, George VI. On Coronation Day the following year, he planted two oaks in South Park dedicated

Darlington mayor Richard Luck outside the Market Tavern (now the Pennyweight), in the Market Square on December 16, 1936, leading a loyal cheer to the new king, George VI. On Coronation Day the following year, he planted two oaks in South Park dedicated to the king

In 1937, the Darlington mayor, Richard Luck, and his wife again planted Coronation Oaks on Coronation Day as part of the town’s massive festivities with thousands of schoolchildren taking part in sports and entertainments in the park, which culminated in a grand firework display.

These oaks are extremely difficult to spot, but we think they are immediately to the right of the Fowler Monument looking down to the lake.

For the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth, Darlington departed from its park planting tradition, and instead the mayor planted a tree on Coronation Day on Green Tree Corner, where Skinnergate, Coniscliffe Road, Blackwellgate and Grange Road all meet. There had been a tree on the corner for centuries.

The Northern Echo: Planting a coronation tree on the Green Tree corner in Blackwellgate, outside Bainbridge Barker's department store, on June 7, 1953

The mayor of Darlington plants a coronation tree on Green Tree Corner on Coronation Day 1953. Picture courtesy of the Darlington Centre for Local Studies

But there seem to have been several trees planted for Elizabeth. The Darlington Centre for Local Studies also has a picture showing the mayor planting one on November 8 that year – so six months after Coronation Day – somewhere in “the Neasham Road area”. Can anyone tell us where that tree might be?

The Northern Echo: Planting a coronation tree in Neasham Road, Darlington, on November 8, 1953. Does this tree still stand? Where was it?

Coronation tree planting on November 8, 1953, somewhere in the Neasham Road area of Darlington. Picture courtesy of the Darlington Centre for Local Studies

The Northern Echo: Coronation tree planting in Middleton St George

And there were other trees planted elsewhere in the borough – the Echo carried a picture of the Middleton St George Coronation Committee putting one in the ground on Coronation Day. It appears to be one the steep riverbank at Middleton One Row, while at Hurworth Place, there was apparently one planted on the bank beside Croft bridge but it seems now to be lost in a thicket.

So there is a moral to this story: if you are planting a tree to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III make sure you put a marker on it that will stand the test of time.

The Northern Echo: Heighington's coronation stone was placed in 1937 and still has its plaque on it

Or be like the people of Heighington who installed a commemorative stone outside their village school for the 1937 coronation. They nailed a plaque to it which looks pretty immoveable.

The Northern Echo: Heighington's coronation stone was placed in 1937 and still has its plaque on it

Heighington's coronation stone was placed in 1937 and still has its plaque on it