Kilbroney Oak is located in Northern Ireland’s Kilbroney Park, where CS Lewis holidayed as a child, later describing it as his vision of Narnia. This mighty oak is on a shortlist of 12, which has been decided by tree experts from the Woodland Trust as well as members of the public. These trees are now recorded for posterity on the charity’s Ancient Tree Inventory (ATI). Volunteers pointed out hundreds of examples on their walks across the UK, sending images and information about candidates to the trust. While getting the public to vote for a favorite tree may seem like a bit of fun, the trust says the competition, now in its eighth year, is important because it highlights rare ancient and veteran trees, their role in fighting of the climate crisis and biodiversity loss in the UK, and why protecting them is vital for the future of the planet. Tom Reed, citizen science manager for ATI and a judge in the competition, said: “The enthusiasm for ancient and veteran trees and the increasing number of entries submitted to ATI over the past two years has shown how much people love and value trees their. “We selected the trees based on their size and importance to their species and also looked for trees steeped in history as well as trees that had high ecological, aesthetic or cultural value. It is up to the audience to choose a favorite from this impressive list.” It is important to record century-old trees when they are found, as we do not know how many there are. A study by the University of Nottingham said there could be 1.7 to 2.1 meters of ancient and veteran trees in England, of which only 115,000 are recorded. Most of these are unlikely to be protected by policy or legislation, so it is impossible to know how many are at risk. Adam Cormack, head of the Woodland Trust campaign, said: “These trees are of significant value. However, very few have legal protection, which is currently only provided in very specific cases, such as if a tree happens to be in a protected wildlife site. It is protection by proxy rather than proper protected cultural heritage. After all, some of these trees are over a thousand years old. “We believe now is the time to give these living legends the legal status they deserve. We all want to be able to help protect these wonderful old trees for centuries to come.” Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST Last year’s winner was the Kippford tree, a hawthorn on the west coast of Scotland. Voting via the Woodland Trust website closes at midday on 31 October. The winner will be announced on 4 November and will go on to represent the UK at the European Tree of the Year 2023. The Escley oak in Herefordshire is likely to be at least 400 to 500 years old. Photo: Woodland Trust
The short list
1 The Escley oak, Herefordshire It is not in any public records, but for the past two years it has been one of the largest and oldest oaks in ATI. Location Along a public footpath north of Shobdon Barn, Michaelchurch Escley. Age Probably at least 400 to 500 years old. 2 The Flitton Oak, Devon This impressive ancient oak sprawls with eight huge limbs dripping with moss and lichen – a haven for many species. Location Located in a triangular stand of trees where three roads intersect in North Molton, near Flitton Oak Barns. Age Estimated to be over 700 years old. Holly on the Hill in Hawnby, North Yorkshire, is believed to have existed since the late 19th century. Photo: Woodland Trust 3 Holly on the Hill, Hawnby, North Yorkshire Unusually, this impressive holly has a broad rounded crown, an indication that its canopy may have been harvested over many years. Location Along a field boundary next to a public right-of-way which was an old bridleway on an early edition Ordnance Survey map (1860-1890). Age Holly trees can live for 300 years. But while there is no specific lifespan for this specimen, its history suggests it could have been around since the late 19th century. 4 The Burnbanks oak, Haweswater, Cumbria The shape of the tree suggests that it could be an old, leaning tree used for timber harvesting or the remnant of an oak that grew after the collapse in the past. Location A pocket of ancient woodland near Burnbanks, Haweswater. Age Sessile oaks can live for over 1,000 years 5 Hadgerow Hawthorn, Colton, Cumbria This stunning, twisted tree is part of a small row of hawthorn trees that mark the site of a former land boundary. Location: The tree in an open field at the edge of Grizedale Forest, northeast of Satterthwaite. Age The land boundary is visible on a first edition OS map, so the tree is likely to be between 170 and 200 years old. The largest of the 12 Apostles limes in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire. Photo: Woodland Trust 6 The 12 Apostles lime, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire This is the largest of an avenue of 12 limes planted in St James’s churchyard to represent one of the 12 apostles. Historical sources suggest that the original avenue may have been planted around 1770. Some of the original trees have been replaced, including five in 1929. Location South-east footpath leading to churchyard at Chipping Campden. Age Believed to be over 250 years old. 7 Kilbroney Oak, Kilbroney Park, County Down, Northern Ireland The natural landscape of the Kilbroney estate is believed to have been the inspiration for the fantasy world in The Chronicles of Narnia. Location Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor. Age Over 300 years. 8 The Portal tree, Loanhead, Midlothian, Scotland This impressive rowan tree has bent over to form a full arch that has now sprouted from its top. Rowans feature heavily in folklore, but it is not known whether this tree was deliberately trained in this shape or formed naturally. Location Accessible to the public, located in the wider area of the ruined Mavisbank House. Age: Estimated to have been planted between 1850 and 1880. 9 The Rolls of Monmouth oak, Monmouthshire, Wales The largest tree on the Great Oaks golf course on the Rolls of Monmouth estate. Location: Rolls of Monmouth, Monmouthshire. Age Possibly over 500 years old. Langley Park Chestnut in Angus, Scotland, is believed to be older than the 18th century Langley Park House. Photo: Woodland Trust 10 Chestnut Langley Park, Angus, Scotland A sweet chestnut tree in a Georgian mansion. Location Langley Park House, Montrose Basin, Angus. Age unknown, but almost certainly as old, if not much older, than the original 18th century house. 11 Layering horse chestnut, Kedleston, Derbyshire This magnificent tree has obviously been traumatized in the past, its trunk is hollow and decaying and its branches have fallen sideways. Nevertheless, the tree has survived. Location Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire. Age The exact age is not known, but seahorses can live up to 300 years. 12 Waverley Abbey yew, Farnham, Surrey An impressive holly tree, with roots growing in and around the ruins of the first monastery founded in Britain 900 years ago by the Cistercian order. Location: Inside the ruins of Waverley Abbey. Age: The exact age is not known but it cannot be older than 480 years.
