Castlewellan tree voted top in NI

Castlewellan tree voted top in NI

1 January 2019

CASTLEWELLAN Forest Park’s giant redwood is celebrating being voted Northern Ireland’s Tree of the Year in the Woodland Trust’s search for the country’s best-loved tree.

The stunning redwood — or multi-stemmed giant sequoia to be precise — finished second in the 2018 UK final.

Everyone associated with the Forest Service, the people of Castlewellan and various groups helping with ambitious regeneration proposals at the stunning forest park, are delighted with the majestic tree’s success in the regional heat.

The giant redwood stands within the walled garden at the forest park and at over 160 years old has seen centuries come and go. It is also a relative youngster in the giant redwood world. 

With an awe-inspiring 19 trunks, the tree is a firm favourite with young climbers, who are suitably amazed when parents point out that the multiple trunks are in factone incredible tree. 

The tree is grown from one of the original seeds first brought back to England from California in 1853 by the renowned collector, William Lobb. 

He dashed to the Sierra Nevada in 1852 when he first heard of these monster trees, anticipating correctly that the species, renowned for being the world’s largest tree, would be hugely popular among Victorian collectors.

Dr Sally Montgomery, of Castlewellan Futures’ Heritage Group, and Ann Irwin, of Arboretum Regeneration, Castlewellan, recently received the coveted Tree of the Year trophy on behalf of the giant redwood after months of campaigning to win the public vote. Their efforts also secured a tree care award of £1,000.

Patrick Cregg, director of the Woodland Trust, extended congratulations to Sally and Ann who, he said, “worked hard to put this magnificent giant in the limelight”.

He continued: “Thanks to their efforts, the Castlewellan tree actually made a debut on BBC’s The One Show. When viewers were asked to vote for the UK’s Tree of the Year, our Northern Ireland champion came runner-up.

“What a tremendous boost for trees. They offer endless benefits to the landscape, people and wildlife  and yet, so often, go unsung.”

The Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year competition aims to highlight and celebrate our country’s remarkable trees, and to ultimately ensure they are given the recognition and protection they deserve.