Two Lambeth trees make London's top 20 list » Environment » 24dash.com

A London plane tree in the heart of bustling Brixton and a 700-year-old oak in Brockwell Park have been named among London's 20 favourite trees in a public poll.

The announcement was made by charity Trees for Cities following a competition to find the top 20 "Great Trees of London". The trees were nominated by Londoners themselves in a competition judged by an expert panel of horticulturists and other key figures.

Brixton's London Plane tree is an iconic landmark that provides shelter for people and nature in the heart of busy and bustling Brixton. The tree sits at the centre of Tate Gardens and dates back to the garden’s opening in 1905.

The veteran English Oak in Brockwell Park is probably well over 700 years old. With a girth of over six metres and a massive spread of branches and leaves, it not only pre-dates the founding of Brockwell Park in 1892 but must have already been a mature tree when the original Brockwell Estate, from which the park was created, was established nearly 200 years ago.

Cllr Mark Bennett, Cabinet member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: "Trees are absolutely vital to urban areas and it's no surprise to me that these two magnificent specimens have made this list. They are both a treasured and much loved part of Lambeth's history and landscape.

"We are working hard to make Lambeth cleaner and greener and planting more trees is major part of this because the benefits they bring to our environment are immeasurable."

The Great Trees of London project is a partnership between the charity Trees for Cities, Barratt Homes and The Forestry Commission, with the support of London’s Magic 105.4.

After the Great Storm of 1987, Londoners were asked to nominate the capital's leading landmark/historic trees and 41 were officially awarded “Great Tree” status in 1988 with plaques erected next to each tree. Since summer this year, hundreds of Londoners have been nominating more potential Great Trees after Trees for Cities issued a new call for nominations.

The latest list includes nine London Planes, the iconic species that lines many streets, squares and green spaces in the City.

The initiative is being endorsed by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and public figures such as Neil Fox, Jon Snow, Chris Collins and Shazia Mirza also played their part in nominating individual trees.

Neil Fox nominated the London Plane that stands proudly at the junction of the Embankment and Horse Guards Avenue. He says: "I love trees and in a massive city like London, they play an enormous role in bringing some much needed green, natural beauty to our concrete jungles! We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our Victorian ancestors for planting out some of the magnificent landmark trees that give the capital so much of its character today.

“For me, the fabulously impressive array of London Planes that line the Embankment and which I pass every day on my way to work are amazing…seeing the sun glinting through on a gorgeous summer’s morning is a wondrous sight!”

The Chairman of the Forestry Commission, the Rt Hon Lord Clark of Windermere, in supporting the scheme, says: “There are more ancient trees in Great Britain than anywhere else in Europe and we need to appreciate them as part of our heritage. Many are older than our valued historic buildings and they continue to live and grow.

“Some of them have witnessed the great events in history and they all have interesting stories to tell. We must work together to ensure they are preserved for future generations, and that the ancient trees of tomorrow are spared destruction today. The Forestry Commission recognises that the 'Great Trees of London' is an immensely important project to help recognise the value of our urban trees and are delighted to be involved.”

Peter Murphy, Development Director of Barratt Homes, another supporter, says: “Chairing the Judging Panel was a very difficult task because we received so many high quality nominations. However, I’m delighted that the Panel was able to choose 20 winning Great Trees that Londoners can be truly proud of.”

Graham Simmonds, Chief Executive of Trees for Cities, adds: “Trees provide so many benefits to life in the capital - they beautify our streets, breathe freshness into bleak urban areas, they bring shade, shelter and support urban wildlife, whilst enhancing health and wellbeing. These 20 Great Trees are truly magnificent specimens and they all help to define London’s cityscape. “