AN ancient oak tree in Cumbria is in contention to be crowned tree of the year.
The Burnbanks Oak, at Haweswater, is one of five gargantuan oaks, one of which is said to have provided the inspiration for the fantasy land of Narnia, and 12 trees overall in the running to be crowned the winner of the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year for 2022.
Hedgerow Hawthorn, in Colton, has also made the final cut.
Tree experts at the conservation charity whittled down the final 12 from hundreds of entries with the help of the public.
The trees have been immortalised in the trust’s ‘hall of fame’ for ancient trees, the Ancient Tree Inventory.
People can vote for their champion via the Woodland Trust website until noon on Monday, October 31, with the winner announced on Friday, November 4.
Now in its eighth year, the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year competition highlights the importance of rare ancient and veteran trees, their role in fighting climate change and biodiversity loss in the UK, and why protecting them is vital for the future of the planet.
“All the UK’s remaining ancient woodlands and individual trees are crucial in fighting the climate and nature crisis, but they are also pieces of history with amazing stories to tell,” said competition judge and ATI lead Tom Reed.
“Recent research has shown there are potentially hundreds of thousands of ancient and veteran trees still to be mapped across the UK and thanks to the combined efforts of ancient tree recorders over the past two years we have demonstrated that we are still finding special trees every single day.”
The trust warned that many trees do not have legal protection and that many are still unmapped.
Woodland Trust head of campaigning Adam Cormack said: “These trees have significant value. Yet very few have legal protection, which currently only comes in very specific circumstances, like if a tree happens to be located in a protected wildlife site.
“It’s protection by proxy rather than proper protected heritage status. After all, some of these trees are more than a thousand years old.
“We believe that now is the time to give these living legends the legal status they deserve. We all want to be able help to protect these wonderful old trees for centuries to come.”
Last year’s winner was a proud lone hawthorn, which captured the public’s imagination for its defiance in guarding the Scottish coastline.
“The Kippford Leaning Tree” took the crown after a hugely competitive social media vote across the Trust’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
This year’s winner, which will go forward to represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year 2023 contest, promises to be just as special.
Meet the contenders
The Escley Oak, Herefordshire
One of the largest and oldest oaks recorded on the Ancient Tree Inventory- likely to be at least 400-500 years old.
The Flitton Oak, Devon
At around 700 years old, this ancient oak splays out with eight enormous limbs dripping with moss and lichen – a haven for many species. But, sadly, it is at risk of being smothered by younger trees. A rescue plan by East Devon Treecare and Devon County Council to thin neighbouring trees to prevent the over-shading which is threatening the mighty oak is hopefully beginning to pay off.
‘Holly on the Hill’, Hawnby, north Yorkshire
Unusually, this striking holly has a broad rounded crown, a clue that its canopy may have been harvested for many years. Holly trees can live for 300 years and while there is no certain lifespan for this specimen, its history suggests it could well have been present since the late 19th century.
The Burnbanks Oak, Haweswater, Cumbria
This striking sessile oak near Burnbanks, Cumbria is growing in a surviving pocket of ancient woodland. The tree’s form suggests that it could have some historical connections as an old, coppiced tree that was managed for harvesting timber, or that it is the remnant of an oak that has regrown after collapsing in the past. The centre of the tree is completely hollow, with its trunk housing numerous lichens, ferns and mosses and providing a shelter for wildlife and insects.
Sessile oaks can live for more than 1,000 years
Hedgerow hawthorn, Colton, Cumbria
This stunning, twisted tree forms part of a small line of hawthorn trees that mark the site of a former land boundary, which is a common theme for this specimen.
The land boundary is visible on a first edition OS map (1860-1890), so it is likely that the tree is between 170-200 years old.
The ‘12 Apostles’ Lime, Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire
This tree is the largest of an avenue of 12 limes planted at St James Churchyard to represent one of the 12 apostles. Historical sources suggest the original avenue may have been planted around 1770. Some of the original trees have been replaced, including five in 1929. Based on its size and condition, it is possible this tree is one of the original trees planted over 250 years ago.
Kilbroney Oak, Kilbroney Park, County Down, Northern Ireland
The oak is believed to have been the inspiration for the fantasy world in C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia and is believed to be more than 300 years old.
The Portal Tree, Loanhead, Midlothian, Scotland
This rowan grows in the landscaped grounds of Mavisbank House, one of Scotland’s most important historic houses from the 1700s. It has extensive decay, but a huge girth and a remarkable appearance. It is estimated to have been planted between 1850 and 1880 and so could be over 150 years old.
The Rolls of Monmouth Oak, Monmouthshire, Wales
An incredible tree that is the largest on the Great Oaks golf course in the Rolls of Monmouth Estate that is likely to be more than 500 years old.
Langley Park chestnut, Langley Park House, Scotland
This chestnut tree growing within the grounds of Georgian Langley Park House has an almost is believed to be as old, if not much older, than the original 18th century Georgian house.
Layering horse chestnut, Kedleston, DerbyshireThe original mighty trunk stands hollow and decaying, while the branches have fallen to its sides. Despite this, the tenacious tree has survived. The exact age of the tree is not known but horse chestnuts can live for up to 300 years.
Waverley Abbey yew, Farnham, Surrey
The roots of the yew grow into and around the ruins of Waverley Abbey – the very first monastery founded in Britain 900 years ago by the reforming Cistercian religious order. The exact age of the tree is unknown but it cannot be more than 480 years old.
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