There are only days left to vote for the Isle of Wight’s legendary Dragon Tree to help it to become the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year.
The oak is facing fierce competition from 9 other magnificent specimens including the towering Allerton Oak in Liverpool, and London’s Fallen Tree in Richmond Park, a fantastic example of a phoenix tree that has kept growing after having fallen in a storm.
So far over 15,000 votes have been cast and the competition. It’s very close so every vote counts in the annual competition that celebrates the nation’s special trees.
The monstrous oak is truly a sight to behold. One massive limb forms a bridge over the Buddle Brook below, which used to power the nearby Brighstone mill until it closed in the 1960s. It’s thought the oak took its unique shape after it was blown down in a storm, but, still supported by its existing branches, managed to re-root.
Local legend however holds that the tree was once a dragon that terrorised locals. A knight, recently returned from the crusades, fought the beast. When he struck the fatal blow, the dragon turned to wood and laid down roots, becoming the tree that forms such an integral part of the local landscape.
Islanders can visit woodlandtrust.org.uk/treeoftheyear to vote for their favourite, to help find England’s Tree of the Year for 2019.
The shortlist is:
- Allerton Oak, Liverpool, Merseyside (Oak)
- Dragon Tree, Brighstone, Isle of Wight (Oak)
- Kingley Vale Great Yew, Chichester, West Sussex (Yew)
- Addison’s Oak, Bristol (Oak)
- Fallen Tree, London (Oak)
- London Plane, Bryanston, Dorset (London Plane)
- Twisted, Thetford, Norfolk (Conifer)
- North Circular Cork Oak, London (Oak)
- The Colchester Castle Sycamore, Colchester, Essex (Sycamore)
- The Drive Oak, Gloucester, Gloucestershire (Oak)
Adam Cormack, head of campaigning at the Woodland Trust said:
“With just seven days left to vote, the competition is reaching its most exciting point. We are urging the people of the Isle of Wight to get behind the Dragon Tree and place their votes before the deadline of 27 September. The Tree of the Year competition is all about celebrating the nation’s special trees, and this monstrous oak certainly fits the bill.”
By voting for your tree of the year, you will also be entered into our Tree of the Year prize draw – the winner will receive a £100 voucher thanks to our partner Sainsbury’s, for you to use in any of their stores or online.
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 into society for a future where people and trees are stronger together. Find out more and voice your support at treecharter.uk.
