Husband Plants 1,000 Trees for Late Wife—17 Years Later, Aerial Shot Shows His Real Reason

In 1962, Winston and Janet Howes got married in⁤ the British town of Stroud. As farmers with a family, they spent many years together in South Gloucestershire.

This was before‍ tragedy ⁤hit in 1995 when Janet ‌died from⁢ heart failure‌ after 33 joyful years of marriage. She had just turned fifty.

A Husband’s Tribute

At that time, Mr.​ Howes decided ‌to create a beautiful tribute​ to his ⁢beloved wife. It ⁢remained a secret until a hot air balloon flew over it in 2012 ‌and the balloonist spotted trees arranged with care.

Andy⁢ Collett, a ⁢passionate hot air balloonist aged 42 from Wotton-Under-Edge, ⁢Gloucestershire, was​ on⁢ one of his usual flights in July 2012 when he saw the grand romantic gesture hidden within the six-acre field. He told the Telegraph: “I have my own balloon and fly often—but this was​ the most incredible sight I’ve ever seen from ​above.”

He couldn’t believe his eyes and added, “It was a perfect heart tucked away—you⁤ wouldn’t know it‌ existed.” This lovely tribute can only be⁣ viewed from above; no wonder it stayed hidden for 17 years.

Mr. Howes wanted to make a spot where he and his son could go on tough days when missing their wife and mother became ⁤too hard. ⁤He shared about his idea: “I thought it was an awesome ⁣idea—it came to me suddenly—and I​ planted thousands of oak trees.” He shaped an acre-long ‍heart using trees ⁢as markers surrounded by tall‌ hedges for privacy even though it’s near a road.

Wife’s ⁤Legacy

In South Gloucestershire near Wickwar, Mr. Howes owns a⁤ farm that covers 112 acres. After housewife Janet passed away over two decades ago, he chose to plant her legacy there. About this​ big project he said, ⁤“We brought ‌people in specifically for this—there​ are several thousand trees.”

“We placed large oak ⁣trees around the edge of⁤ the heart then decided to add hedges too.” Once finished they⁣ put up seating overlooking hills close to where Janet lived. The secret meadow ‍shaped like a heart can only be reached by following paths starting at its base⁢ pointing towards her birthplace.“Sometimes ‌I go down⁣ there just to sit ⁣& think,” says Mr.Howes.

For an extra romantic touch Mr.Howes mentioned,“We plant daffodils inside ​that bloom every spring—it looks wonderful! I visit sometimes & sit on my bench.”  In 2012 he also said,”I flew over it myself about five years ago getting my ⁤private view before ⁢everyone knew⁢ about it.”⁤ In Andy Collett’s words,”⁣ you can imagine how much love went into creating such an⁢ amazing tribute for your ⁤partner.

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