Top trunks do battle for nations’ votes in Tree of the Year contest
A tree with links to Joseph of Arimathea, one of Game of Thrones most iconic locations and a tree said to have been visited by William Wallace are among the contenders shortlisted in the Woodland Trusts Tree of the Year contest.
The charity, thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, is now inviting the public to vote for their favourite tree in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland before October 12, with the winning tree in each country going forward to the European Tree of the Year competition in early 2016.
The Trust, with expert help, has whittled down over 200 public nominations to create shortlists of trees in all four nations of the UK; 10 in England, seven in Wales and six in both Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Beccy Speight, Woodland Trust Chief Executive, said: “This contest reminds us how trees have been an integral part of this country’s history and play an important role in our lives today. We still need better protection for individual trees across the UK and we hope everyone who votes will also support our campaign to create a register for all our Trees of National Special Interest.”
Clara Govier, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said: “On behalf of our players we’re delighted to support the Woodland Trust in their search for the nation’s best loved trees. The competition links entire communities to the amazing trees that surround them, and reinforces the importance of giving them better protection.”
The European Tree of the Year contest, run by the Environmental Partnership Association since 2011, looks for the best loved trees from 15 countries across Europe. The 2015 winner from over 180,000 votes cast was the ‘Oak tree on a football field’ in Estonia, with the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest coming 6th.
The UK is home to one of the largest populations of ancient and veteran trees in Europe and over 8,000 people have signed up to the Trust’s V.I Trees campaign to try and ensure all Trees of National Special Interest have better long term protection from the threats posed by climate change, development, pests and diseases.
To see all the shortlists and vote for your favourite tree visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/treeoftheyear
