Take a bough! It’s Britain’s best tree
LEANING precariously, this hawthorn may look like it’s weathered a few storms – and might only be a few away from toppling over.
But this lone tree has been named the UK’s favourite, beating hundreds of nominations to this year’s title.
The hawthorn, which stands in the Scottish village of Kippford, Dumfries and Galloway, is estimated to be between 60 and 100 years old.
Although not spectacular in size, it was praised for ‘standing proud’ as the only tree on that part of the coastline – winning 38 per cent of the votes.
In second place was a monterey cypress from Saundersfoot, south-west Wales, which earned 19 per cent of the votes and was saved from felling this year after a public campaign.
And in third place, with 13 per cent of the votes, was a parasol beech in Parkanaur Forest Park, Northern Ireland, which is known for its knotted branches growing back towards the ground.
Tree surgeon Drew Patterson – whose father, grandfather and great-grandfather all come from near Kippford – nominated the winning hawthorn.
Describing its win as a ‘special moment’, the 57-year-old said: ‘I love this tree, it’s amazing. It is a superb
‘Still standing proud’
hawthorn and it’s incredible it has survived this well having been climbed on, battered by the winds and even bumped into by cars turning.’
He added: ‘It’s in a wild place and has been blown over at an angle, but it is still standing strong and proud on the edge of the beach.
‘It has been there as long as I can remember and I have so many fond memories going back through the generations. I have pictures of my grandfather and mum in front of the tree.’
Adam Cormack, from the Woodland Trust charity which ran the contest, said the ‘Kippford Leaning Tree’ was a worthy winner.
He added: ‘We’ve had winners of all shapes and sizes in previous years and this is a tree that stands out for different reasons, notably because of its striking presence in an unusual setting.
‘It is also a special tree for Drew because of the family significance, which highlights the importance individual trees can have.
‘Lots of trees are equally meaningful to someone, providing a connection and treasured memories.’ And it is far from the end of its winning streak – as the hawthorn will now go on to represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year 2022 contest.
Among the others to have made it into the top five were a sycamore tree in Newark, Nottinghamshire, which was saved from being chopped down to make room for a new car park. And in fifth place came a chestnut at Willesley Park Golf Club in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, with 7 per cent of the votes.