Jephson Gardens Oak shortlisted for 'tree of the year'

There’s now another reason to love the district’s parks this summer with the news that a veteran tree in Jephson Gardens is in the running to be crowned as the nation’s favourite tree.

The sprawling Holm Oak, which lies over the lake in the award-winning park in Leamington Spa has been put forward by an expert panel from the Woodland Trust and through public nominations for this year’s national contest to celebrate urban trees, with the winner going on to represent the UK in the European ‘Tree of the Year’ competition.

It is believed that the striking oak with its distinctive twisted branches was one of the original trees to be planted when the land and walks along the River Leam were development into formal gardens during the 1840s.

Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder Neighbourhood Services, Councillor Will Roberts commented:

“This remarkable tree is amongst much loved ‘elders’ of the Gardens, which thanks to the ongoing care and intervention provided by the District Council’s Green Spaces team with support from the County Council’s Arborists have stood for almost two centuries for the enjoyment of generations of visitors. It’s therefore wonderful to see the Lakeside Holm Oak recognised in this way and I encourage everyone to get online to give it their vote.”

You can vote for Leamington’s Lakeside Holm Oak by visiting the ‘Tree of the Year’ pages on the Woodland Trust website. The competition closes on 15 October 2023.