A dozen centuries-old oaks have been shortlisted for the annual Tree of the Year competition.

Candidates include the 1,200-year-old Marton Oak in Cheshire, the Bowthorpe Oak in Lincolnshire, which has graffiti carved into it dating back hundreds of years, and one of the last surviving trees from an ancient Scottish forest.

The shortlist was made by a panel of experts from the charity Woodland Trust.

The winner will be chosen through a public online vote and will then take part in the European Tree of the Year competition in early 2025.

Dr Kate Lewthwaite, the Trust’s Citizen Science Manager, said: “We chose the iconic oak tree because it captures people’s imagination.

“From their leaves to their acorns, these trees are deeply rooted in our heritage, and the oldest specimens are impressive simply by their size and age.”

“It is humbling to think about how many events these trees have survived and that when they reach full maturity they can last for hundreds of years as ancient trees – continuing to provide important habitat while being hollowed out and producing dead wood.”

The oldest oak on the list, the Marton Oak, also has the widest trunk in Britain, with a circumference of 14 m.

The Lincolnshire Oak is the second widest on the list and is located near the village of Bourne.

It is hollow and it is said that 36 people once stood in it.

In Scotland, the capon tree in the Scottish Borders is one of the few trees remaining from the Jedforest woodland, which was cleared for timber for shipbuilding.

A Welsh candidate is the Gregynog Oak, which stands in the Great Wood on the grounds of Gregynog Hall in Powys.

The Darwin Oak in Shrewsbury is over 500 years old and stands near the house where the Victorian scientist Charles Darwin spent his childhood.

The tree and eight others of a similar age are to be felled to make room for a relief road.

More than 100,000 people have signed a petition to save the trees.

The Woodland Trust said the list showed that “ancient trees enjoy very little legal protection”.

The charity is asking the public not only to enter the competition, but also to sign its Living Legends petition calling for stricter laws on the felling of valuable trees.

Adam Cormack, the trust’s campaigns director, said it was “vital that future generations have the opportunity to stand beneath a centuries-old oak tree and wonder what stories it holds”.

He said: “The history of our country is closely intertwined with these wonderful trees that built our ships and cities and after which we have named so many places and pubs.”

Others on the list are:

• King John Oak in Somerset

• Skipinnish Oak in Lochaber

• The Michael in Midlothian

• Queen Elizabeth Oak, West Sussex

• Archdale Oak Castle, County Fermanagh

• The Elephant Oak, Hampshire

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