Northern Ireland

Six contenders shortlisted for the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year competition

Botanic’s Oriental Hornbeam at Botanica Gardens, Belfast
Botanic’s Oriental Hornbeam at Botanica Gardens, Belfast Botanic’s Oriental Hornbeam at Botanica Gardens, Belfast

AN invisible tree and a big oak are among the six contenders shortlisted for the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year competition.

The charity aims to highlight and celebrate the north's "remarkable, yet unsung, trees" and is asking members of the public to vote for their favourite.

This year's shortlist includes the 'Nobbly Tree' - a plantanus cunata at Brooke Park in Derry, which was gifted by the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens in 1851.

Another specimen to make the list is the 'Big Oak', which stands at the edge of the west lawn at Hillsborough Castle. It is one of few trees that dates from the building of the castle in the late 18th century.

The 'King Tree', which is located on the Mall in Armagh, is also among the contenders, as well as the Crom Yews that lie close to the old castle ruins at Crom Estate in Newtownbutler.

Another contender is the Invisible Tree in Rostrevor - a sessile oak that's existence was erased in a survey supporting the construction of apartment blocks and an underground car park before a campaign was launched against its removal, while the last tree on the shortlist is the Botanic’s Oriental Hornbeam at Botanical Gardens in Belfast.

The winner will receive a tree care award of £1,000.

Ian McCurley from the Woodland Trust said: "We asked the pubic to nominate their best-loved trees - trees with stories - trees at the heart of communities and we’re now delighted to reveal the final line-up of six.

"Each of the six shortlisted trees is unique, with a story to tell.

"I have no doubt this will be a close-run competition, and that’s why it’s so important that each and every one of us takes the time to vote."

Voting opens today, for further information, please visit woodlandtrust.org.uk/treeoftheyear.