LIVERPOOL’S Allerton Oak is vying to become the first UK tree to be crowned European Tree of the Year.
The tree, which stands in Calderstones Park, received an impressive 34 per cent of more than 11,000 votes cast in the Woodland Trust’s annual competition – and is now entered into the wider European competition, with voting opening at the start of February.
On Saturday, 1 February at 10:30am, people are invited to gather at the tree to hear a presentation from campaigner Rob McBride about the competition and the other trees on the shortlist. Children’s writer Jude Lennon will then read her story ‘The Dragon of the Allerton Oak’.
This will be followed by judging at the Mansion House of an Art and Poetry Competition about the tree – with the winning poem and piece of artwork displayed in the European Parliament in Brussels in March.
CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR ALLERTON OAK: https://www.treeoftheyear.org/vote
FOUR FACTS ABOUT THE ALLERTON OAK
- Legend has it that in medieval times the local court, known as a ‘Hundred Court’ would meet under the branches of the tree, as they lacked a courthouse.
- Today the tree is fenced off to protect it, and its heavy boughs are supported by metal poles.
- Liverpool City Council has been working in partnership with The Mersey Forest to preserve the lifespan of the Allerton Oak, with a new propping mechanism with built in flexibility to adapt as the tree continues to grow, and sustain it long term.
- The value of the tree is conservatively estimated at over £500,000.
