The Woodland Trust has selected eight trees around the country, from Monmouthshire and Carmarthenshire to Mold and Llanfyllin in Powys, for the Welsh Tree of the Year 2014 competition it is running online and the Horse Chestnut tree in Pentrefoelas, near Betws-y-Coed, is a contender having been nominated by the children of years three to six at Ysgol Pentrefoelas.
Darren cast his vote for the spectacular tree after visiting it this week and is urging others to follow his lead.
He said:
“The Pentrefoelas Horse Chestnut is a truly beautiful tree and I am not surprised that it is in the running for the prestigious title of Welsh Tree of the Year, however the competition is not to find the oldest, rarest or tallest trees, but to find the most loveable tree. One that has an interesting story to tell, or one that brings a community together.
“Situated in the centre of Pentrefoelas, the tree provides local children with a yearly supply of conkers, which it has been doing for generations, and has also facilitated the annual conker tournament in the village for many years.
“Locals in Pentrefoelas hope their beloved tree has what it takes to become tree of the year. I would say it most certainly does and I urge anyone who hasn’t already voted to do so now and help make the Pentrefoelas Horse Chestnut a winner.”
The winner will be announced in the next month and will go on to represent Wales in the European Tree of the Year Competition, competing against trees across the European continent.
Picture Caption: Clwyd West AM Darren Millar next to the Pentrefoelas Horse Chestnut, which a contender in this year’s Welsh Tree of the Year competition.