THE Queen's "passion for the great British countryside" was one of the most-endearing features of her long life, the environment secretary has said. 

Ranil Jayawardena made the comments as he joined figures from across forestry in paying his respects to Her Majesty following her death on Thursday. 

The longest-serving monarch in the history of the UK, The Queen was surrounded by her family when she died in Balmoral at the age of 96, and in the hours since her passion for trees and woodlands has been a recurring theme in the tributes. 

READ MORE: The Queen's life with trees pictured through the decades

Mr Jayawardena, who only assumed his new Defra role this week, said: "It is with great sadness that, earlier today, Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

"Her Majesty was our longest-reigning monarch, in a life shaped by her faith and dedicated public service. 

"For almost all of us, she is the only monarch we have ever known. 

"As Defra, we share in memories of Her Majesty's passion for the great British countryside and her love of animals; even at this time, it is right we celebrate her devotion to our nation. 

"May she rest in peace." 

Mr Jayawardena's tribute is just one of the hundreds to pour in from across the world of forestry and arb. A passionate lover of trees - she is believed to have planted at least 1,500 - The Queen was also patron of the Royal Forestry Society and Royal Scottish Forestry Society. 

In her later life, she established the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy in 2015 and then the Queen’s Green Canopy to mark her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Lord Duncan of Springbank, chair of Confor, said: "It was often through the trees the Queen marked events. In her lifetime, across the globe, she personally planted more than 1,500. 

"On behalf of Confor, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the King and the Royal Family at this most difficult time.

"She was an inspiration and represented so much that is good about the United Kingdom." 

While the nation's forests remain open, Natural Resources Wales confirmed earlier its visitor centres would close today as a mark of respect. 

Officials at the Institute of Chartered Foresters said in a statement: "The creation of The Queen's Green Canopy to mark her Platinum Jubilee will be a fitting legacy for Britain's longest-reigning monarch.

"The ICF remains honoured that Her Majesty saw fit to award us Royal Charter status in 1982." 

Edwin Poots, Northern Ireland's environment secretary, said: “On this sad day for all of us, my thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with King Charles III and with the Royal Family.

“Her Majesty’s passion for our countryside, nature and, indeed, for farming was clear throughout her life, as was her dedication and unfailing commitment to her role. She was truly the embodiment of service and of duty, and a source of inspiration for so many of us. 

Forestry Journal: Edwin Poots paid his respects Edwin Poots paid his respects

"A remarkable legacy which will endure for generations to come, but for now we are a nation mourning the loss of our beloved Queen.

“On behalf of my Department, I send my sincere condolences to our Royal Family at this very sad time.”