A 484 year old sweet chestnut tree in Acton Park, Wrexham has been nominated for Tree Of The Year, a competition hosted by the Woodland Trust. It is the only tree in Wales to be nominated and to celebrate this honour, an event will be held at the park on Sunday 8th October from 12-4pm. There are lots of free activates planned for the day including: crafts, games and a trail. Acton Park’s free community events have been a great success in the past, leaving fingers crossed for good weather.
Cllr. Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Environment said: “Wrexham County Borough Council are committed to the protection of trees and woodland in Wrexham and are honoured that one of our ancient trees is representing Wales in the competition.“
Ancient trees are a wonder to be marvelled at. This year’s Tree Of The Year competition focuses on ancient trees in urban areas and this sweet chestnut has certainly earnt its ancient status. Starting it’s life in 1539 when King Henry VIII ruled over Britain, surviving storms and locals pillaging in the park for firewood in 1945, it still stands tall and proud in Acton Park to this day. At the event, join us to learn more about the tree’s history and wonder: if trees could talk, what stories would this old chestnut tell?
“We are holding an event in the Park to Celebrate our fantastic Sweet Chestnut Tree. The tree been around for the past 485 years, and if possible would have some wonderful stories to tell I am sure. To have the tree nominated shows how lucky we are to have it in our magnificent park.” said Kevin Roberts, Chair of Acton Community Council
There will be something for everyone at the celebration event based by the sweet chestnut tree in Acton Park, on Jeffreys Road side. Come and have a go at roasting sweet chestnuts and chestnut brownie making with the Woodland Classroom. Investigate the history of the tree and find out why a Roman centurion and his wife are wandering around. Get crafty with the leaves of the sweet chestnut tree, using nature to create beautiful art. There will be a trail for children and a guided tree walk with the arboricultural manager as well as face painting and a tree-themed crazy golf course to try your hand at!
Finally don’t miss the historical costume competition with prizes. Pick a time in this sweet chestnut tree’s lifetime and dress to impress! Dress as a prince or princess from the Tudor times or Georgian times; channel Mary Poppins vibes as a Victorian chimney sweep or Nanny. If present times are more to your liking, any decade in the 1900’s, from the roaring 20s to the swinging 60’s may be fitting. You could even dress up as a Roman in a nod to the Sweet Chestnut’s origins.
Clare Morgan from Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales said, “The Wrexham Sweet Chestnut is well loved by locals for its history, value and beauty – as this event clearly shows. We’ll be encouraging everyone to vote for this stately tree – it would be wonderful to see it come out on top at this year’s Tree of the Year Competition!”
Voting for the tree of the year competition doesn’t close until 15th October, so if you haven’t voted yet there’s still time. Vote for the sweet chestnut tree in Acton Park, Wrexham using this link Tree of the Year – Woodland Trust
For more information on the event visit Acton Community Council Facebook page or email countryparks@wrexham.gov.uk
The Wrexham Sweet Chestnut tall!! 24 metres tall in fact!. That’s taller than 5 double decker buses on top of each other!!
The Wrexham Sweet Chestnut is edible!! Sweet Chestnuts are a delicious nut to eat traditionally around Christmas time and can be traced back 1000s years when Romans brought the Sweet Chestnut to the UK from Europe.
The Wrexham Sweet Chestnut is ancient! This veteran tree has stood the test of time and has been aged at 484 years old meaning it started growing around 1539, when King Henry VIII still lived.
The Wrexham Sweet Chestnut is home! Home to an array of wildlife from woodpeckers making nests in its trunks, the flowers provide an important source of nectar and pollen for bees and other insects.
The Wrexham Sweet Chestnut is a carbon gobbler! Veteran trees like the Wrexham Sweet Chestnut are fantastic at taking in carbon from the air and are especially in urban areas. This tree alone is estimated to take in 6854 kg of carbon every year.
The Wrexham Sweet Chestnut is magical! Home to fairy doors, magic portals and tree spirits the Wrexham Sweet Chestnut inspires local families with its otherworldly presence. Stories have been shared of families having magical, wish making play under its sheltering branches
