A much-loved giant redwood in Castlewellan, County Down, has been voted runner-up in the search for the UK’s Tree of the Year.
This mighty redwood – also known as a giant sequoia – was recently crowned Northern Ireland’s Tree of the Year. Organised by the Woodland Trust, the competition was open to any living tree in the UK – with Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales each having its own contest.
The Tree of the Year competition is run in support of the Charter for Trees, Woods and People – an initiative that sets out 10 tree principles to embed in our society for a future where people and trees are stronger together. Find out more and voice your support at treecharter.uk
The four country winners1 made their debut on BBC’s The One Show earlier this month, when viewers were asked to vote for one of the four to represent the UK in next year’s European Tree of the Year competition.
The votes are in and, as revealed on The One Show (on Tuesday 30 October), Nellie’s Tree in Leeds is the UK champion. It is a tree that has wooed the public with a romantic tale of young love.
Our County Down favourite, nominated by Dr Sally Montgomery and Ann Irwin, can stand tall having secured the runner-up spot.
Patrick Cregg is the director of the Woodland Trust in Northern Ireland and said: “Our hearty congratulations go to each of the country winners and, of course, to Nellie’s Tree – a worthy and wonderful UK champion. We hope that everyone will support Nellie’s Tree next February in the European competition.
“However, special congratulations must go to our Castlewellan runner-up. This multi-stemmed giant sequoia, which stands within the walled garden at Castlewellan Forest Park, really has captured the hearts of local people. It’s an amazing result – and it’s all thanks to the efforts of Ann Irwin and Sally Montgomery who have campaigned tirelessly to put this magnificent tree in the limelight.”
The Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year competition aims to highlight and celebrate our country’s remarkable trees
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The four UK regional winners.
Northern Ireland: The Giant Sequoia, Castlewellan Forest Park, County Down
England: Nellie’s Tree, Aberford, Leeds (now crowned the UK winner)
Scotland: Netty’s Tree, Eriskay, Outer Hebrides
Wales: Pwllpriddog Oak, Rhandirmwyn, Carmarthenshire
UK winner: Nellie’s Tree, Aberford, Leeds
Nearly 100 years ago, Vic Stead would walk from his home in Garforth near Leeds, along the old colliery railway, to visit Nellie, the young lady he was courting who lived in the nearby village of Aberford. One day, he came across three beech saplings on his route, and grafted one sapling between the other two to form the letter N in an attempt to woo his sweetheart. It worked. Vic and Nellie would go on to marry and have a family, and although they are both gone now, Nellie’s tree, also known as the Love Tree by locals, still remains. It is still popular with lovers today.
3Tree enthusiasts Dr Sally Montgomery of Castlewellan Futures’ Heritage Group and Ann Irwin of Arboretum Regeneration Castlewellan were behind the County Down winner – the multi-stemmed giant sequoia at Castlewellan Forest Park.
Their nomination stated: “This tree was grown from one of the original seeds first brought back to England, from California, in 1853 by the renowned collector William Lobb, working for Veitch Nurseries. He dashed to the Sierra Nevada in 1852 when he first heard of these monster trees, anticipating correctly that the species, renowned for being the world’s largest tree, would be hugely popular among Victorian collectors. With an awe-inspiring 19 trunks, it’s a firm favourite with young climbers, who are suitably amazed when parents point out that the multiple trunks are in fact one incredible tree.”
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The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK. It has over 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a UK rich in native woods and trees, for people and wildlife.
The Trust has three key aims:
* to protect ancient woodland, which is rare, unique and irreplaceable
* to restore damaged ancient woodland, bringing precious pieces of our natural history back to life
* to plant native trees and woods with the aim of creating resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering over 22,500 hectares. Access to its woods is free. Further news can be found at:
Here in Northern Ireland the Woodland Trust cares for 50 woods. These woods contain a mix of recently planted woodland, mature woodland and ancient woodland. The Trust has produced the first-ever comprehensive record of Northern Ireland’s ancient woodland; find out more at :
