A charity has unveiled plans to bury a specially commissioned time capsule at the heart of Echo Wood – the living artwork of 365 trees co-designed with artist Luke Jerram.

The giant stainless steel acorn filled with messages for future generations will become the latest chapter in one of the South West's most ambitious artworks. Echo Wood is planted at the heart of Lower Chew Forest, a new forest of 100,000 trees between Bristol and Bath - with the artwork of swirling avenues of blossom at its centre.

Created by artist Michael Turner, the time capsule will be buried alongside photographs of the landscape before the new forest was created.

The acorn will remain sealed for 50 years before being opened as a record of today's Chew Valley and the hopes people held for its future. Charity Avon Needs Trees will also include a pledge for nature, setting out its mission and ambitions for the forest as it grows over the coming decades.

Before its burial, the acorn will tour local schools, communities and Valley Fest in the Chew Valley, inviting people to write messages to future generations about the world they hope to see in 50 years’ time. At Valley Fest, Avon Needs Trees staff will be roaming the festival with the acorn in a wheelbarrow. Future tour dates will be announced on the Avon Needs Trees website, ahead of a public celebration and burial ceremony.

Echo Wood is a living artwork that will mature and blossom over the next century as the wider woodland grows. The project has already raised more than £100,000 for Avon Needs Trees, powering the creation of the new forest.

Luke Jerram, artist and co-designer of Echo Wood, said: "I'm delighted people have another chance to become part of Echo Wood. I'll be writing a message that I hope my children will read when the capsule is opened in 50 years. It's a wonderful way to pass hope from one generation to the next."

While today's supporters are planting trees they may never see reach maturity, their messages will live alongside the artwork described as a ‘living stone henge’- as a symbol that local people cared about the environment they were living in.

A limited number of Echo Wood trees are still available for sponsorship, giving people the opportunity to become part of the artwork while helping Avon Needs Trees continue to establish Lower Chew Forest.

Avon Needs Trees is a charity that creates new, permanent woodland throughout the Bristol-Avon river catchment to fight the climate and nature emergencies. We create woodlands that will stand for generations, locking up carbon, boosting local biodiversity, and providing natural flood management. Our woodlands are planted by an incredible community of over 1,600 local volunteers. Once planted, these green spaces can be enjoyed by people long into the future.

Jerram has presented more than 900 exhibitions worldwide, creating extraordinary works that have inspired millions. He is known for his giant sculptures of the Earth, Sun and Moon exhibited around the world.