Liverpool's 1,000-year-old oak is England's tree of the year

It has been a courthouse, a source of comfort in war, and was cracked when a ship carrying gunpowder exploded nearby. Now the Allerton Oak in Liverpool has been voted England’s tree of the year and Britain’s representative for a European-wide competition.

The 1,000-year-old oak in Calderstones park, Allerton, won 34% of the vote in the Woodland Trust contest, beating other impressive trees, including a 200-year-old sycamore growing on the wall of Colchester castle and an oak with limbs like a triffid on the Isle of Wight.

The Liverpool tree’s hefty boughs are propped up with metal poles and the oak carries many centuries’ worth of stories.

Since Allerton lacked a courthouse in medieval times, it is believed to have been the meeting place for the local court. A large crack down its side was supposedly created by the Lottie Sleigh, a ship carrying 11 tonnes of gunpowder which exploded while moored in the Mersey nearby in 1864.

During the second world war, leaves from the tree were sent with letters to local soldiers on the frontline to remind them of home.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have also chosen their tree of the year in the competition, with the Woodland Trust deciding that the Allerton Oak will now represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year contest, which begins in February 2020.

The Scottish winner is an elm that survived Dutch elm disease but stood forgotten beside Glen Affric until discovered by Forest and Land Scotland and Trees for Life staff. This survivor of an ancient forest is now surrounded by new, younger trees as part of a project to restore native woodland to the Highlands.

Related: England's tree of the year competition unearths myths and legends

In Northern Ireland, voters chose a sessile oak tree at the entrance to Rostrevor Oakwood, County Down, one of Ireland’s last remaining ancient woodlands. The tree became known as the “invisible tree” because it was omitted from a survey supporting the construction of an apartment block within a few metres of its roots and branches. After support around the world, the tree was reprieved.

Adam Cormack, head of campaigning at the Woodland Trust, said: “The Allerton Oak is a spectacular example of a city tree. Trees are an important part of the urban landscape helping to make our towns and cities better places to live. We are keen to increase understanding of their value and promote their protection. We are currently working with partners to help increase tree cover in the city and make Liverpool a greener place to live.”

The winning tree will be awarded £1,000 – supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery – to help protect it.

Liverpool city council and Mersey Forest are investing £80,000 in a new propping mechanism for the Allerton Oak, with built-in flexibility to adapt as the tree continues to grow.

“We are determined to make sure it stays healthy for as long as possible,” said Cllr Laura Robertson-Collins, cabinet member for environment and sustainability at Liverpool county council.