You may remember the story of Wickwar Quarry Manager, Frank Hogg, and his successful campaign to save an ancient Oak tree on our land in 2017. It was threatened with a major pruning and reduction of its canopy by the local power company, but Frank realised the importance of this majestic tree, contacted the Tree Protection Officer at South Gloucestershire Council and persuaded them to find an alternative solution.

Now we’re delighted to report that The Wickwar Oak has been nominated in the 2018 Woodland Trust ‘Tree of the Year’ competition: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/tree-of-the-year-2018-nominations/ .

The Woodland Trust contacted us to ask to use the Wickwar Oak as an example of a tree with a real story to tell as part of our overview of the competition in their members magazine, Broadleaf. The tree, which has a girth of 10.5 metres, is comparable in size to the famous Major Oak in Sherwood Forest making it between 800 and 1000 years old. It could have been planted before the Battle of Hastings on land now owned by building materials supplier, CEMEX UK.

The great picture here shows Frank with his granddaughter, Edith, who first who saw the tree about three years ago. She was fascinated by it and would run in and out of the big hole at the base, imagining fairies living in there.

Well done again Frank for ensuring the future of this ancient Oak, and let’s hope it wins Tree of the Year! The results of the competition are out w/c 25^th November to coincide with National Tree Week.