Northern Ireland Tree of the Year revealed

The Invisible Tree, Rostrevor. Picture: Michael Cooper

A short while ago we covered the Northern Ireland Tree of the Year competition. Public voting has ceased and the winner of the Northen Ireland Tree of the Year has been revealed.

Horticulture

23 October 2019

A beautiful Sessile Oak Tree in Rostrevor, County Down, has been crowned Northern Ireland’s Tree of the Year in a search for the best-loved tree.

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.

Northern Ireland’s champion took a well-earned bow having secured 950 votes, against competition from five other worthy contenders.

The impressive Sessile Oak stands tall within the entrance to one of Ireland’s last remaining ancient woodlands, Rostrevor Oak.

Rostrevor Action Respecting the Environment (RARE) was behind the County Down winner. Their nomination stated: “Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea, a Sessile Oak Tree stands tall at the entry to one of Ireland’s last remaining ancient woodlands; (sic) Rostrevor Oakwood.

“For generations the tree has greeted visitors to this magnificent woodland and provided a habitat for hundreds of species, including the welcome return of the red squirrel. Sadly, the existence of this tree was erased in a survey and report supporting the construction of apartment blocks and an underground car park within a few metres of its roots and branches.

“However, this attempt to make a life-supporting tree disappear has instead served to inspire locals and visitors from around the world to stand up and campaign against the removal of the ‘Invisible Tree’. News of this special tree has spread far and wide, with visitors from across the world expressing their support of the campaign.”

The Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year competition aims to highlight and celebrate remarkable trees, and to ultimately ensure they are given the recognition and protection they deserve.

“We’re truly grateful to everyone who has played a part – either by nominating trees or by simply taking the time to vote. We had a shortlist of six contenders, each with a unique story. Thanks to the public vote, our Northern Ireland winner is Rostrevor’s ‘Invisible Tree’. Our congratulations go to the Rostrevor Action Respecting the Environment group who have worked tirelessly to put their tree, and indeed trees in general, firmly on the map.”, said Ian McCurley, director of the Woodland Trust.

The winning Tree of the Year in each country will win, subject to eligibility, a £1,000 (€1,160) Tree Care Award aimed at protecting, supporting, and celebrating a better future for the tree. Awards of £500 (€580) will also be made available for the top two runners up in Northern Ireland.

The four country winners

Northern Ireland: The Invisible Tree, Rostrevor, County Down.

England: Allerton Oak, Liverpool.

Scotland: The Last Ent of Affric, Glen Affric.

Wales: The Old Sweet Chestnut of Pontypool, Pontypool Park.

Northern Ireland’s six shortlisted trees and number of votes

The Nobbly Tree: Plantanus cunata at Brooke Park, Derry – 339.
The Big Oak: Quercus cerris at Hillsborough Castle, Hillsborough – 205.
The King Tree: Primary Veteran Horse Chestnut, Armagh – 64.
Crom Yews: English Yew at Crom Estate, Newtownbulter – 399.
The Invisible Tree: Sessile Oak, Rostrevor – 950.
Botanic’s Oriental Hornbeam: Hornbeam at Botanica Gardens, Belfast – 197.

In Northern Ireland, the Woodland Trust cares for 50 woods. These woods contain a mix of recently planted woodland, mature woodland and ancient woodland.