Happy Man Tree 2020 Tree of the Year
A monster chestnut tree more than 600 years old, a hornbeam known as the ‘Teapot Tree’ that oozes character and a sycamore saved from the chop are just three of the trees in the running to be crowned the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year for 2021 in the UK. Source: Timberbiz
The list for the coveted UK-wide prize has been whittled down to just 10 from this year’s weekly winners and voting is now open to the public, who will decide which tree will be named champion.
The shortlist of 10 was selected from hundreds of nominations across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media accounts using #TreeoftheWeek
Now in its seventh year, the Woodland Trust’s Tree of The Year contest highlights the UK’s favourite trees to help show their value and need for protection. Adam Cormack, Head of Campaigning for the Woodland Trust, said Tree of The Year is “a reminder of the natural connection that we have with trees”.
“It’s all about that ‘wow’ moment that people get when they see a tree they appreciate,” he added. “This could be standing under a magnificent old oak or noticing the autumn colours of a street tree on the school run.
“This connection is something that children and adults share. Trees can make us happy, healthy, thoughtful – or upset when they are lost from our lives. The nominations we receive for Tree of the Year on social media are a window into the way we experience trees and the richness they bring to our lives.
“But Tree of The Year has a serious message. Many of our oldest and most special trees in the UK have no form of legal protection. It’s time that our oldest trees got the same protection as our oldest buildings. Our built heritage and our natural heritage are both important and both worthy of protection. After all, once they’re gone ancient trees can never be replaced like for like.”
The contest takes place across the UK and nominations for 2021 were decided via social media for the first time. Last year’s winner in England was a plane tree in Hackney known as the Happy Man Tree, but unfortunately even widespread fame could not earn the Happy Man a happy ending in its title-winning year as it was felled shortly after because of redevelopment.
This year a couple of trees that have been saved from the chop make the list and there are plenty of interesting stories to be told.
“There is a good smattering of different types of trees,” Mr Cormack said. “Some have conservation stories; some have historical significance and others that are just awesome and eye-catching.
“The change to voting on social media taps into the instant opportunity to share the love of some of these wonderful trees.
“Trees deserve to take centre stage. Tree of the Year is a simple way to show our love of trees at a time when trees are so vital to fight the climate and nature crisis.”
