Leamington Spa and Lichfield on Tree of the Year shortlist

[dutchman]

The veteran holm oak leans over the lake at Jephson Gardens in Leamington Spa...



Two West Midlands trees have been shortlisted to be Tree of the Year 2023.

Conservation charity Woodland Trust has selected 12 trees across the UK using a team of experts and the public.

The list includes trees in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, and Lichfield, in Staffordshire.

Naomi Tilley, from the trust, said the shortlisted trees were remarkable.

Ms Tilley, lead campaigner at Woodland Trust, said ancient trees in towns and cities were "vital for the health of nature, people and planet".

"But most ancient trees aren't protected by law, and those in urban areas are particularly vulnerable, like one of this year's nominees - which narrowly escaped being cut down by Sheffield City Council in 2017."
Other trees on the shortlist

• Greenwich Park sweet chestnut, London
  
  
• Holm oak blitz tree, Exeter, Devon
  
  
• The Grantham Oak, Grantham
  
  
• Chelsea Road Elm, Sheffield
  
  
• Crouch oak, Addlestone, Surrey
  
  
• Gorton Park poplar, Manchester
  
  
• Plymouth pear, Plymouth, Devon
  
  
• Sweet chestnut, Wrexham
  
  
• Highland Gateway walnut, Perth
  
  
• Belvoir oak, Belfast

The winning tree is set to represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year competition and will be announced on 19 October.