Saved oak named Europe treasure
THE Brimmon Oak in Wales has been named runner-up in the European Tree of the Year competition.
The 500-yearold oak received 12,203 votes. It was narrowly beaten by Poland’s Oak Jósef.
The tree made headlines in 2009 when plans emerged to fell it to make way for the planned Newtown bypass.
About 5,000 people joined a campaign, led by landowner Mervyn Jones, and the Government agreed to vary the route around the oak.
Meanwhile, the charity Woodland Trust has launched a campaign to protect ancient trees and woodlands.
The move by the charity follows proposals by the Government to restrict housing development that threatens ancient trees.