‘Elephant Oak’ at Old Sloden Inclosure, near Fordingbridge, is wild card nomination for national Woodland Trust Tree of the Year award

A UNIQUELY shaped oak in the New Forest is a wild card among 12 of the species nationwide up for Tree of the Year 2024.

People are invited by the Woodland Trust to vote for their favourite among the line-up to receive the annual accolade, with this year’s theme being ‘magnificent oaks’.

This coincides with the body’s campaign for more legal protection of the species, which can live for more than 1,500 years and support 2,300 different wildlife species.

Eleven oaks were shortlisted by a panel of experts, but the ‘Elephant Oak’ at Old Sloden Inclosure, near Fordingbridge, was nominated by the public on social media.

Taking its name from its unusual shape, it is estimated to be 150-300 years old, with a girth of 3.96 metres.

Supporter Claire Sheppard said it was her favourite to photograph: “I hike for around 5km to get there and back, and this wood always gives me goosebumps.

“It’s not the easiest place to reach and hence it’s always very quiet; I get a real sense of peace and solitude here.”

Other nominees include Marton Oak in Cheshire, Gregynog Oak in Powys, and Darwin Oak in Shrewsbury.

Vote online at tinyurl.com/59krhmbu until 21st October. The winner will be announced on the 29th.