In a touching story that first gained attention in 2012, British farmer Howard Howes created an extraordinary tribute to his late wife, Janet, by planting thousands of oak trees across a six-acre field near his home in Wickwar, Gloucestershire.
Hidden within the woodland is a heart-shaped clearing, carefully positioned to point toward Wotton Hill, where Janet spent her childhood.
Howard and Janet married in 1962 and shared more than three decades together before she passed away in 1995 at age 50 from heart failure.
Grieving deeply, Howard searched for a way to honor her memory. His idea—both symbolic and personal—was to create a heart visible only from above, a living memorial to their life together.
To bring the vision to life, Howard planted several thousand oaks around the meadow’s perimeter, forming the outline of a perfect heart. Inside, he placed a simple wooden seat where he could sit, reflect, and feel close to Janet. The tribute remained private for years, known only to Howard and a few helpers involved in the planting. The secret came to light when hot air balloon enthusiast Andy Collett flew over the area and spotted the breathtaking shape. Collett described the discovery as one of the most remarkable views he had ever witnessed from the sky, calling it a hidden and powerful symbol of enduring love. The meadow can be reached only by a small track leading to the heart’s tip, adding to its sense of quiet seclusion. Howard said he hired assistance for the planting and added hedges to help define the shape more clearly. Each spring, daffodils bloom in the center of the clearing, creating a bright burst of color against the backdrop of young oaks. Howard occasionally visits the site, finding peace in the natural sanctuary he built. Over the years, the trees have grown into a flourishing woodland, with the heart-shaped meadow preserved as a place of remembrance. Howard later had the chance to fly over the memorial himself, witnessing from the air the enduring legacy of love he created for Janet.
