THE shortlists for the Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year 2020 competition have been unveiled.

Now in its seventh year, the annual competition seeks to shine a light on the nation's best trees to help increase interest in their value and protection. Tree of the Year is usually a UK-wide competition but will not run in Northern Ireland this year because of "unique challenges", the Woodland Trust said.

England’s Tree of the Year 2020

Forestry Journal: The Chained Oak, Alton.The Chained Oak, Alton.

  • The Shoe Tree – Heaton Park, Newcastle
  • Happy Man Tree – Hackney, London
  • The Chained Oak – Alton, Staffordshire
  • The Marylebone Elm – Westminster, London
  • The Wilmington Yew – Wilmington, Sussex
  • The Beltingham Yew – Northumberland
  • The Beech Tree in the Altar – Bayham Abbey, Kent
  • The Crouch Oak – SURREY
  • The Grantham Oak – Grantham, Lincolnshire
  • The Remedy Oak – Dorset

Scotland's Tree of the Year 2020

Forestry Journal: The Milarrochy oak, Loch Lomond.The Milarrochy oak, Loch Lomond.

  • The Climate Change Tree, near Alloa
  • The Lord President's Oak, near Inverness
  • The Millarrochy Oak, Loch Lomond
  • Queen Mary's Thorn, Fife
  • The Survivor Tree, the Borders

Wales' Tree of the Year 2020

Forestry Journal: The Beech of Many Faces, Neath.The Beech of Many Faces, Neath.

  • The Beech of Many Faces, Gnoll Country Park, Neath
  • The Chapter House Tree, Margam Park, Port Talbot
  • The Chirk Castle Sweet Chestnut, Chirk, near Wrexham
  • The Sychbant Oak, near Maesteg, Bridgend
  • The Monmouth Catalpa Tree, St James Square, Monmouth
  • The Overton Yew, the churchyard of St. Mary the Virgin, Overton-on-Dee

Darren Moorcroft, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said: “Easily overlooked and routinely undervalued, trees deserve their moment in the sun. This competition is a very simple way to demonstrate our appreciation of trees.

“We had more than double the number of trees nominated by members of the public this spring compared to past years. This is perhaps no surprise given that lockdown had so many of us slowing down and taking more note of nature on our doorsteps, a boost for our mental health and wellbeing.

“At a time when we’re fighting both a climate and nature crisis, it is undeniable that trees are needed now more than ever.  They are nature’s most powerful weapon in this fight. This competition is a very simple way to show that people do care about trees, so please visit our website and vote for your favourite!”

The awards, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, offer a £1,000 tree care award for each winning tree.

Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “The competition has unearthed some remarkable trees and demonstrates the strong ties and affection communities feel towards them, fostering a strong connection with nature. I am delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery have supported this celebration of the nation’s best loved trees.”

Just one of the three national winners will be selected to represent the UK in the 2021 European Tree of the Year contest.

Voting closes at noon on 24 September. For a closer look at the shortlists, and to cast your vote, click here.

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