With the Lionesses’ adventures in Oz finishing up this Sunday, now might be the time to get invested in another competition. Something historically storied, fiercely competitive and highly aesthetically pleasing. We’re talking about UK Tree of the Year. Obviously.
Held every year by the Woodland Trust, Tree of the Year celebrates no less than the best trees in the UK: only the finest and most fascinating trees triumph. 2023’s contest celebrates urban trees, from resplendent oaks in city parks and busy town centres to trusty residential yews, with the aim of highlighting how important trees are in the battle against climate change.
And now the nominees for UK Tree of the Year 2023 are in, with this year’s selection including a magnificent array of oaks, elms, chestnuts and walnuts from all across the UK. A panel of tree experts will eventually vote for their favourite and crown Tree of the Year on Oct 19.
In the running for the crown is a regal 360-year-old sweet chestnut tree sturdily planted in Greenwich Park by King Charles II. Another honourable mention is the beautifully fragmented form of The Belvoir Oak, possibly the oldest tree in all of Northern Ireland. Last year’s winner was an ancient yew in Surrey.
Here’s the full list of the nominees for the Tree of the Year 2023.
- Greenwich Park sweet chestnut, London
- Holm oak blitz tree, Devon
- Cathedral foxglove tree, Lichfield, Straffordshire
- The Grantham Oak, Lincolnshire
- Lakeside holm oak, Warwickshire
- Chelsea Road Elm, Sheffield
- Crouch oak, Surrey
- Manchester poplar, Manchester
- Plymouth pear, Devon
- Sweet chestnut, Wrexham
- Highland Gateway walnut, Perth
- Library holm oak, Wiltshire
- Belvoir oak, Belfast
Once announced, the winner will compete in the European Tree of the Year Awards. You can now vote for your favourite tree in the People’s Choice tree category here.
Did you see that two British beaches have been named the best in the world?
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