Calling anyone with a tree-mendous story from Ross-shire!
PEOPLE with examples of Ross-shire trees which have a significant story behind them are being urged to step forward.
Scottish Tree of the Year is a new competition organised by the Woodland Trust Scotland and supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Entry to the competition is open to anyone and the Trust is encouraging groups from the Highlands to take part and champion their local trees.
The contest is open to any living tree in Scotland that has a great story to tell.
The Trust’s Ancient Tree Inventory has 1010 records within the Highlands. Notable examples including the Seven Men of Moidart, a row of beech trees planted to commemorate the companions of Bonnie Prince Charlie, and the Seers oak in Stromeferry.
It was prophesised that if two people could ever link around this ancient oak then it would be a bad time for the district. Fortunately despite the great age of the tree this hasn’t come to pass.
Groups who want to champion local trees that have a great story to tell are invited to enter by Friday, May 9.
An independent panel of judges will shortlist six trees based on their story, and a public vote in September will decide the winner.
Carol Evans, director of the Woodland Trust Scotland said: “Virtually every community in Scotland has at least one tree that stands out from the rest and has an amazing story to tell and we’d love to receive entries for the Tree of the Year contest from groups based in the Highlands.
“It could be a tree that’s associated with a famous person or a battle, or one that the local people have rallied around to save it from being felled. Whether it’s in the middle of a wood, halfway up a mountain or in the heart of a city, if it’s a tree that people love and tell stories about then we want to hear about it.
“By celebrating what trees mean to people and the great stories that they have to tell we can help to raise awareness of the need to protect them. We’re delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery are supporting the competition to find the best loved trees in Scotland.”
An application form for Scottish Tree of the Year is available from the Woodland Trust’s website. Entries are open until Friday, May 9.
