The largest wild pear tree in Britain has been identified on the proposed high speed rail link HS2 route in Warwickshire, tree experts have said.
Measurements suggest the tree is possibly 200-250 years old and that it may be the UK's oldest wild pear tree.
On the edge of South Cubbington Wood,near Leamington Spa, the tree has been admired by dog walkers and users of the nearby footpath for years.
Its national importance has only just been confirmed by the Tree Register.
Campaigner action
As part of monitoring the proposed high speed rail route Rosemary Guiot, of Cubbington Action Group against HS2, asked Steven Falk, senior keeper of natural history at Warwickshire Museum, to assess the pear tree.
Ms Guiot said: "Everyone locally knows the tree, it's so spectacular when it's full of blossom. I just brought it to the attention of the group, as I suspected it might be something special."
Mr Falk visited Cubbington and declared the tree "very interesting indeed", with a girth of 3m 78cm (over 12 ft) measured at 50cm above ground level.
He sent measurements and photographs to the Tree Register, an organisation that records exceptional tree specimens.
As a result, the tree has been declared a National Champion, meaning it is the largest - and possibly oldest - known tree of its species in Britain.
Uncertain future
Ron Walton from Cubbington Action Group against HS2 said: "Sadly, Cubbington's newly crowned champion may not hold its title for many more years.
"It stands right in the centre of the route of HS2... with a group of rare wild service trees which flourish in the corner of the nearby wood.
"If HS2 goes ahead as planned much of South Cubbington Wood will be lost. This is ancient woodland that predates 1600. It's impossible to estimate how much of the wood would survive."
The partridge in the pear tree is probably not too happy about it either?
