Judi Dench has 'memorial forest' and sees trees as loved ones after husband's tragic death

express.co.uk:

Judi Dench has opened up on the memorial forest she cultivated following the death of her first husband Michael Williams in 2001.

In an unearthed interview, the award-winning actress, 87, told how she started planting a tree for everytime a close friend or relative has died and now has a six-acre "secret woodland".Judi lost her husband Michael in 2001 after 30-years of marriage.The actor tragically died in January 2001 after he lost his battle with lung cancer.Last year, Judi spoke candidly about a childhood interest of hers which turned into a project on a massive scale following her husband's death.Judi said: "Ever since I was a little girl I have been interested in trees.“I've even turned my six-acre garden into a secret woodland, and I see my trees as my extended family."The star explained that her forest started following the death of Michael and now sees the threes as part of her "extended family".Judi went on: "I started planting trees here with my actor husband Michael Williams."Every time a relative or friend died we would plant a tree."The actress told how she has trees dedicated to The Parent Trap star Natasha Richardson, who died in 2009, following a skiing accident.Judi also said she has a tree for Ian Richardson and Stephen Hanley.Explaining the meaning behind the forest, Judi told how it allowed for the people to not be forgotten.She said: "It is about remembering and for me, it's something that's living and goes on, the memory goes on and gets more wonderful," she said to The Telegraph.The star also spoke candidly about losing Michael to This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.Judi admitted that she struggles to come to terms with her late husband's death in a heartbreaking.