Vote Greenock Oak for Tree of the Year
Inverclyde Council’s Environment Vice Convener is urging people vote for an historic oak tree to be named Scotland’s Tree of the Year 2017.
The competition is run by The Woodland Trust celebrating the country’s best-loved trees. Following public nominations a panel of judges have chosen six finalists now going to the public vote.
Among them is the Greenock Cut Oak which is close to the Greenock Cut Visitor Centre.
Environment Vice Convener Councillor Jim Clocherty said: “This mighty oak is passed by thousands of people completing the Greenock Cut Trail every year and many stop in their tracks when confronted with the sight. Covered in ferns, mosses and lichens, it is the first tree many of the school pupils are introduced to as they are led around the nature trail by Park rangers. This competition is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Inverclyde’s rich natural heritage so I hope people will take the time to register their vote.”
Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the shortlisted trees are also in with a chance of winning a £1,000 care package. The award can be used to arrange an expert health check, provide interpretation or educational materials, or hold a celebratory event in honour of the tree.
Beccy Speight, Woodland Trust chief executive said: “Once again the public have nominated many fantastic examples of trees with truly inspirational stories, which highlight how intrinsic trees are in peoples’ lives.
“It’s a reminder of why we need to care for individual trees and that they still need true protection in law from development or mismanagement.”
The shortlisted trees are:
The Beauly Sycamore, Beauly; “The Big Tree”, Orkney; The Carnegie Oak, Dunfermline; David McCabe’s Spruce, Crieff; The Greenock Cut Oak, Inverclyde; and The Old Holly Bush, Castle Fraser, Aberdeenshire.
To vote your favourite tree visit the link on this page.
Trees of the Year are being voted in for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. One will be chosen as the UK winner to go forward to the European competition.
Voting runs until Monday 8 October. Scotland’s winning tree will be named at the Scottish Parliament in December.
Photograph courtesy of Niall Benvie/WTML