Vote for your top tree

The Woodland Trust is inviting Nottinghamshire folk to branch out and choose a tree with a story to represent the county in this year’s competition.

If there is a gold standard silver birch in Mansfield, or perhaps another handsome oak tree has caught your eye, The Woodland Trust is after your votes.

Jill Butler, Woodland Trust ancient tree specialist, said: “The UK has one of the largest populations of old trees in Europe and plenty have a story to tell.

“With the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery we aim to draw attention to the wealth of cultural and natural heritage that is reflected by our amazing trees, and remind people they need better care and protection.”

The iconic Major Oak, made famous by legenary outlaw Robin Hood, beat off fierce competition from Old Knobbley in Essex and the Ickwell Oak in Bedfordshire to become the first ever English representative in the European Tree of the Year 2015 contest,

Nearly 185,000 people voted in the European competition, with another 20,000 taking part in the UK contests.

The Woodland Trust is keen to see if a UK tree can lift the European title next time.

Councillor John Knight, Committee Chairman for Culture, at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We were delighted that so many people got behind the Major Oak in a public vote so that it could become the current holder of the Woodland Trust’s English Tree of the Year title. It is a fantastic competition which helps to raise the profile and importance of trees.”

The competition is open to any living tree in the UK; with England, Scotland, Wales and for the first time Northern Ireland each having an individual contest. For more information about the competition and to submit your nomination log on at: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/treeoftheyear.

On September 12th and 13th, the county council in partnership with The Sherwood Forest Trust will host the second annual Major Oak Woodland Festival at Sherwood Forest, sponsored by

Edwinstowe-based companies Robert Woodhead Ltd.