A centuries-old sweet chestnut in London’s Greenwich Park is among 12 specimens in the running to be crowned the UK’s Tree of the Year 2023.
An oak that survived a wartime bomb, and a tree that shaded Queen Elizabeth I on summer picnics have also made the shortlist in the annual competition organised by the Woodland Trust.
This year’s contest shines a spotlight on ancient trees in urban locations that are accessible to the public.
The sweet chestnut in Greenwich Park is the only London nomination. Thought to be around 360 years old, the twisted specimen was planted at the request of King Charles II, as part of his ‘Grand Plan’ for Greenwich Park which included an ambitious redesign of the grounds that can still be enjoyed today.
Hundreds of trees were planted in formal avenues to mimic the French style admired by Charles, and many of them are still standing.
“Now approaching 400 years old, their contorted, decomposing trunks offer important wildlife habitats including invertebrates and fungi,” said The Woodland Trust.
The Woodland Trust’s panel of tree experts shortlisted 12 urban contenders from across the UK for Tree of the Year 2023 – with one additional tree voted for by the public.
Among the nominees are an oak in an Exeter churchyard that miraculously survived a bombing in the Blitz that destroyed the church beside it.
Another oak on the list is in Surrey and older than 800 years, that Queen Elizabeth I is said to have dined beneath, and which survived a fire in 2007 when arsonists set the inside of its trunk ablaze.
Also on the list is a “majestic” walnut tree in the car park of a Perth retail park, where it provides shade “amid all the concrete”, an oak in Grantham, Lincolnshire, that at more than 500 years old is described as “Grantham’s oldest resident”, predating the surrounding houses by several centuries.
An elm tree in a Sheffield street that avoided being felled on several occasions – notably during the city council’s infamous 2017 felling programme, when local campaigners spied a rare white-letter hairstreak butterfly laying eggs on it – is also shortlisted.
Naomi Tilley, lead campaigner at the Woodland Trust, said: “Ancient trees in towns and cities are vital for the health of nature, people and planet.
“They give thousands of urban wildlife species essential life support, boost the UK’s biodiversity and bring countless health and wellbeing benefits to communities.
“But most ancient trees aren’t protected by law, and those in urban areas are particularly vulnerable, like one of this year’s nominees – which narrowly escaped being cut down by Sheffield City Council in 2017.
“Trees like those in the shortlist are remarkable and deserve celebration – and protection.”
This year’s contenders are located in city parks, busy town centres and residential streets.
Each one has an amazing story to tell and is loved by locals, as well as providing vital habitat for wildlife, helping to reduce flooding, screen out noise, provide shade, filter air pollution, increase property values and bring cultural capital to our streets and parks.
Members of the public can vote in the 2023 Tree of the Year compeition until October 15, at woodlandtrust.org.uk/treeoftheyear.
The winner will be announced on October 19, and will represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year competition.
