A SPRAWLING oak in Jephson Gardens is hoping to run rings round the competition as it battles it out to be crowned the nation’s favourite tree.
The Holm Oak, which lies over the park’s lake in Leamington, has been put forward by an expert panel from the Woodland Trust.
The public will then get to nominate their favourite urban tree in the national contest, with the winner going on to represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year competition.
It is believed that the striking oak with its distinctive twisted branches was one of the original trees to be planted when the land and walks along the River Leam were development into formal gardens during the 1840s.
Warwick District Council’s neighbourhood spokesperson Coun Will Roberts said: “This remarkable tree is among much loved ‘elders’ of the gardens which, thanks to the ongoing care and intervention provided by the district council’s green spaces team – with support from the county council’s arborists – have stood for almost two centuries for the enjoyment of generations of visitors.
“It’s therefore wonderful to see the Lakeside Holm Oak recognised in this way and I encourage everyone to get online to give it their vote.”
Vote for Leamington’s Lakeside Holm Oak by visiting the ‘Tree of the Year’ pages on the Woodland Trust website.
The competition closes on October 15.
