On Wednesday 25 May 2011, His Excellency Mr Demetris Christofias, President of the Republic of Cyprus, joined Chief Minister Katy Gallagher in planting a beautiful Quercus alnifolia (Golden oak) in the Central Valley of the National Arboretum. The ceremonial planting of the golden oak is further confirmation of the close ties between the two countries.
The Golden oak, which is a small evergreen known for the colour of the lower surface of its leaves, was selected by the Parliament of Cyprus in February 2006 to be the country’s national tree. It was an important tree in Persian gardens which were built around water and shade and the leaves and bark have been used medicinally.
Official Photographs
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