A HUGE 1,200-year-old oak tree in Cheshire is among a dozen “magnificent oaks” shortlisted for the annual Tree of the Year competition.
Residents can now vote for their favourite. The shortlist includes a tree that was used to shelter children at tea parties in the 19th century, the widest oak tree in Britain and a tree shaped like an elephant.
The Woodland Trust said a panel of tree experts selected 11 trees under the theme of Magnificent Oaks, and one additional tree was nominated by members of the public via social media.
These include oak trees over a thousand years old, many of enormous girth, individual oaks with ancient graffiti, and a wide variety of wildlife that live in Sitka spruce plantations or are at risk of being cut down for a bypass road.
The shortlisted tree was the Marton Oak in Cheshire – a 1,200-year-old sessile oak with a massive girth of 14.02 metres, making it the widest oak tree ever recorded in the UK.
The tree is located in a private garden on Oak Lane and has a completely hollow trunk.
According to the charity, oak trees can live for over 1,500 years and are home to 2,300 different species of wildlife. Britain also has more ancient oak trees than the rest of Western Europe.
With the Woodland Trust campaigning for stronger legal protections for the country’s most treasured trees, it was a natural choice for the charity to select oaks – which are “deeply rooted in our heritage” – for the shortlist.
As in previous years, the winning tree in the survey, which runs until 21 October, will be allowed to take part in the “European Tree of the Year” competition at the beginning of next year.
Dr Kate Lewthwaite, Citizen Science Manager at the Woodland Trust, said: “We chose the iconic oak 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 because of their size and age.
“Some of the oaks alive today were already centuries old in the time of Queen Elizabeth I or Charles Darwin.
“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 Woodland Trust warns that despite being an important part of British culture and heritage, oaks and other ancient trees enjoy very little legal protection.
As well as entering the competition, people can also sign the Woodland Trust’s Living Legends petition calling for stricter laws on the felling of valuable trees.
Adam Cormack, campaign director at the Woodland Trust, said: “Our country’s history is intertwined with these wonderful trees that built our ships and cities and that we have named so many places – and pubs – after.
“It is important that future generations have the opportunity to stand under a centuries-old oak tree and wonder what stories it holds.”
To vote or sign the petition visit woodlandtrust.org.uk
