The list for the coveted Woodland Trust UK-wide prize has been whittled down to just 10 trees from this year’s weekly winners all over the UK and a very special tree that resides by the beach that has been dubbed Saundersfoot’s ‘Lonely Tree’ has only gone and made it to the final list!

As this very special sentinel witness tree that resides on Scar Rock is beloved by it’s community, visitors and expatriots alike and voting is now open to the public, who will decide which tree will be named champion.

Saundersfoot’s Lonely Tree Preservation Society are hoping all fans will lend their vote to this special historic tree and wonder of nature.

Many of you might already be aware of the tree’s plight, in that it was up against an application once again earlier this year to see it felled.

Following a Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority planning committee meeting back in June, the community has been given a time sensitive period to get behind their much cherished and special tree.

Whilst the first stage of required tree works are commencing early in the New Year a spokesperson for the Lonely Tree Preservation Society said: “If we win the accolade of Woodland Trust Tree of the Year it strengthens the case for securing its future to be enjoyed in the landscape for generations to come."

The shortlist of 10 was selected from hundreds of nominations across the Woodland Trust’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media accounts using the #TreeOfTheWeek hashtag.

It was all thanks to visitor Kevin Stanley from Ruskington who used Twitter to spread the word and used the hashtag #TreeOfTheWeek that led to Saundersfoot’s iconic ’Lonely Tree’ being chosen on September 10 as The Woodland Trust’s ‘Tree of the Week’.

Chairman of the Lonely Tree Preservation Society Clr. Martyn Williams BEM said: “We are absolutely over the moon that our communities iconic wonder of nature is in the running to be crowned the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year for 2021.”

Now in its seventh year, the Woodland Trust’s Tree of The Year contest highlights the UK’s favourite trees to help show their value and need for protection.

Adam Cormack, Head of Campaigning for the Woodland Trust, said Tree of The Year is “a reminder of the natural connection that we have with trees”.

This connection is something that children and adults share and trees can make us happy, healthy, thoughtful - or upset when they are lost from our lives.

The nominations we receive for Tree of the Year on social media are a window into the way we experience trees and the richness they bring to our lives.

He went on to say: “Tree of The Year has a serious message as many of our oldest and most special trees in the UK have no form of legal protection. It’s time that our oldest trees got the same protection as our oldest buildings.

“Our built heritage and our natural heritage are both important and both worthy of protection. After all, once they’re gone ancient trees can never be replaced like for like.

“This year a couple of trees that have been saved from the chop make the Woodland Trust’s shortlist including Saundersfoot’s ’Lonely Tree’ and there are plenty of interesting stories to be told.

“Some have conservation stories, some have historical significance and others that are just awesome and eye-catching.

“Trees deserve to take centre stage. Tree of the Year is a simple way to show our love of trees at a time when trees are so vital to fight the climate and nature crisis,” he continued.

Voting closes at 12 noon on December 13 with further glory awaiting the winner, which will be selected to represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year 2022 contest.

To vote find the Woodland Trust on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.Saundersfoot’s Lonely Tree Preservation Society are indebted to all the members of The Friends of Saundersfoot and District, Saundersfoot in Bloom, Save Saundersfoot’s Lonely Tree Group and Saundersfoot Community Council for lending their support and getting behind Saundersfoot’s newest community group.

To find out more join the Save Saundersfoot’s Lonely Tree group on Facebook.

To find out more about this initiative and the Woodland Trust visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk