THE holm oak tree behind the library in Westbury’s Soisy Gardens, which was nominated for the Woodland Trust’s annual Tree of the Year competition, has finished in joint fourth place.
The holm oak finished with an impressive 9% of the vote and was beaten to the top spot by a sweet chestnut in Wrexham (17%). A crouch oak in Addlestone, Surrey received 14% of the vote and finished second and a sweet chestnut in Greenwich Park, London finished in third place with 13% of the vote.
The holm oak in Westbury received 9% of the vote alongside a Chelsea Road elm in Sheffield, a highland gateway walnut in Perth, and a cathedral foxglove tree in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
Sarah Scholefield, Westbury Library senior assistant, said, “We were delighted when our beautiful tree was shortlisted for the Woodland Trust Tree of the Year 2023, and although a little disappointed it didn’t win, just having the tree in the spotlight is a wonderful thing.
“Coming fourth shows how much support the town gave our lovely tree. And of course, despite not winning, we can still continue to enjoy the tree for years to come.”
This year’s national contest celebrated urban trees in neighbourhoods across the UK, each one a locally-loved ancient or veteran tree with a fascinating story and incredible benefits for wildlife, communities and the environment.
