Tuesday 4 February 2014

European Tree of the Year

Voting is now open to find the European Tree of the Year! 

The search is on for the most lovable tree, a tree with a story that can bring the community together. The participating trees have already won national contests.

If you're in the UK, you can for example vote for The Oak at the Gate of the Dead in Wrexham, Wales or for Neil Gow's Oak in Perthshire in Scotland. The contest in Scotland and Wales was organised by the Woodland Trust.

Niel Gow’s Oak stands on the bank of the River Tay, on land owned by Forestry Commission Scotland. near Dunkeld. According to local legend 18th century fiddler Niel Gow wrote many of his most famous tunes underneath the tree. To mark the launch of the contest, singer Dougie MacLean performed his interpretation of Niel Gow’s “Farewell to Whisky” under the oak to start the campaign for votes.

 Dougie MacLean plays under the fiddle tree 2
photo from the Woodland Trust, used with permission

The European Tree of the Year contest is a lovely way to celebrate ancient trees and the wonderful addition they make to our landscapes, parks and cities. Voting is open until 28th February 2014. The results will be announced at the Award Ceremony in Brussels on the 19th March 2014.

As ever, red text contains hyperlinks that take you to other websites where you can find out more. 

9 comments:

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

"According to local legend 18th century fiddler Niel Gow wrote many of his most famous tunes underneath the tree."
This sentence reminds me of being in Hawaii about a thousand years ago and sitting under the Banyan tree where Robert Louis Stevenson is said to have written.

Tommaso Gervasutti said...

What an evocative photo.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Well it has to be an oak doesn''t it - they are all such wonderful trees. That photo with the violinist is superb.

Ms Sparrow said...

I wish it said how old the tree is. It looks like it has been through a lot!

I think you're right about the red squirrel. I used the wrong picture on my blog. Our red squirrels are less "ornamental" than yours.

RG said...

Great idea! I bet there will be some dandy candidates!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Like Ms. Sparrow, I would love to know how old it is as well. I think trees have stories :)

Laura said...

what a gorgeous tree… it surely inspires me!

Laura said...

Jus voted… wow!

Gerald (SK14) said...

not heard of the contest - makes me wonder how the yew at Fortingal is getting on these days.