Tree of the Year: Newton's apple tree and Robin Hood's oak among contenders for title

These magnificent oaks and beeches are among the ten contenders in the contest to find Britain’s ‘Tree of the Year’.

The finalists, from 200 entrants, include a massive yew as tall as the Royal Albert Hall with a circumference of 200 yards.

The yew, at Shurborough in Staffordshire, is said to be the biggest tree in Europe - and is still growing.

Another contender is a 175-year-old oak growing inside the boundary of a cricket pitch.

The winner of the competition, run by the Woodland Trust, will be decided by public vote and be entered in the 2015 European Tree of the Year contest.

Another favourite is the Major Oak, in Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire.

The giant, believed to be around 1000 years old, was nominated by Andrew Poole, and according to legend Robin Hood hid in its boughs.

Mr. Poole said: 'The legend of Robin Hood was infused within this mighty tree which still exists today.

'Sherwood Forest is a special place where you'd expect the past to suddenly appear.'

Another favourite tree in the competition is Newton's Apple Tree in Lincolnshire, whose falling fruit gave Sir Isaac Newton the idea for his theory on gravity.

Also in the top ten are six more oak trees, including one in Wiltshire which has a 35ft-wide trunk making it the largest oak in Britain.

Another entrant is the 1,400-year-old Ankerwycke Yew at Runneymede, Surrey which is believed to be near the spot where King John signed the Magna Carta.

Ickwell Oak in Ickwell, Bedfordshire, is located within the boundary of the local cricket club.

Woodland Trust Ancient Tree Specialist Jill Butler said: 'We sometimes take our trees for granted, but every nomination in this contest reminds us how trees are incredibly significant in people's lives, over many years.

'More importantly we want this recognition to be a step in ensuring all our special trees can be protected for future generations to enjoy.'

THE TEN ‘TREE OF THE YEAR’ FINALISTS:

Ankerwycke Yew, Runnymede, Berkshire
Kett's Oak, Norfolk
Major Oak, Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
Allerton Oak, Liverpool
Whiteleaved Oak, Herefordshire
Shugborough Yew, Staffordshire
Big Bellied Oak, Savernake Forest, Wiltshire
Newton's Apple Tree, Lincolnshire
Old Knobbley, Essex
Ickwell Oak, Bedfordshire