We are thrilled to announce that Gregynog’s Great Oak is Wales’ nomination
for the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year competition.
The ancient oak measures a mighty nine metres at its widest point and is the
only tree from Wales nominated for the UK competition. You can now vote for
the Gregynog Oak online at Tree of the Year - Woodland Trust.
The tree, part of Gregynog’s Great Wood, is up against 11 other amazing oaks
from across the Uk. Voting is open until 11.59pm 21 October and the
Woodland Trust will announce this year's UK winner on 29 October. The
winning tree will then go on to the European Tree of the Year competition.
Lydia Bassett, The Gregynog Trust’s Director of Business Development, told us:
“The magnificent Gregynog Oak stands alongside several mammoth trees in
Great Wood in the grounds of Gregynog Hall. We are so excited to be named
as Wales’ nomination for Tree of the Year and the Gregynog Oak is a brilliant
reminder of Gregynog’s incredible history since the first house was built here
in the twelfth century.
“Our woodland is a globally significant area of Specific Scientific Interest with
rare lichens in the ancient oak forest as well as redstarts, pied fly catchers and
three types of woodpecker. Gregynog Trust, a charity which took over the
management the Hall and Estate from the University of Wales in 2019, is
working with the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust to study the exceptionally
biodiverse nature on the estate.
“Gregynog is one of Wales’ most important ancient parklands and wood
pasture habitats. The woodland at the Hall has just been awarded the status of
being part of Wales’ National Forest and the estate is open to everyone every
day with miles of woodland paths to explore (a £3 parking fee helps maintain
the gardens and woodland) and a brilliant café as well!
Thought to be at least five centuries old, the impressive oak hosts countless
species including important lichens. With many an esteemed visitor to the Hall
over the years, the likes of Gustav Holst, George Bernard Shaw and Prime
Minister Stanley Baldwin may have admired this incredible tree. There is a
footpath to the Gregynog Oak from the Hall through the Great Wood.”
Gregynog Hall is best known as the home of Gwendoline and Margaret Davies,
two remarkable Welsh women who had a revolutionary vision to create a place
in Wales which would be a true cultural and artistic centre. While still very
young they amassed one of the great art collections of the 20th century. They
bequeathed 260 Old Masters, 18th and 19th century British, Impressionist and
Post-Impressionist paintings and sculptures to the National Museum of Wales
in 1951 and 1963, completely transforming its art collection in character,
quality and range.
The achievements and the events that took place at Gregynog helped shape
the history of Wales. They helped found a national university, the foundations
of the Arts Council of Great Britain, a national library, a national museum, huge
strides towards improved public health and the Council of the League of
Nations.
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