(Left) The Beatles Ceder Tree on the grounds of Chiswick House and Gardens – credit, CC 3.0. Patche99z

In 1966, the Beatles perched in the boughs of a giant ceder for the music video of their song, “Rain.”

Now, the tree has another claim to fame—a finalist in the UK’s Tree of the Year Contest.

Rightly nominated under this year’s theme of being “Rooted in Culture,” the Beatles’ Lebanese Ceder in Chiswick House and Gardens was planted in 1720. Queen Victoria, the Tsar of Russia, and the Shah of Persia have been among the admirers to predate the Fab Four.

The cedar’s vast boughs swoop down to brush the ground, creating an interesting spot for the band to sit and play their guitars for “Rain.” This shot was also used as the cover for their Nowhere Man EP.

Woodland Trust, which organizes the annual competition, saw cultural references from as far back as the 16th century, to as recently as a 2011 Radiohead album.

Nowhere Man – fair use

In the case of the former, it’s Bradgate Park’s oldest oak, an gnarled ancient whose crown was allegedly pruned in mourning of Lady Jane Grey, the infamous “9 Days Queen,” who was beheaded as an imposter by Mary I. In the case of the latter, it’s the King of Limbs in Wiltshire’s Savernake Forest.

Estimated to be over 1,000 years old, the branches of this mammoth tree were regularly cut back to encourage new growth, resulting in several huge digits extending in different directions. Radiohead’s Thom Yorke named an album in its honor.

Readers can see all 10 of the nominations on the Woodland Trust website.

Concluding just in advance of the UK Tree of the Year, voting for which begins today, the European Tree of the Year saw a remarkable turn of events: a Polish color-phase beech tree has taken the leafy continental crown for the 2nd year running.

LAST YEAR’S WINNERS:

Last year’s winner was called the “Heart of the Garden” but this year, it’s the “Heart of the Hills” of Dalkowskie. Two years, two beeches, two hearts, two champions, but one incredible arboreal country.

The Heart of Dalkow Beech – credit Marcin Kopji, released

It took first place with 9-times as many votes as the UK’s entry—the Spinnish Oak, winner of the UK Tree of the Year from 2024.

The Polish beech tree grows in the historical park in the city of Dalków. For the local community, the tree is seen as ‘a heart that unites,’ and tourists make wishes by throwing peanuts into a hole in the tree, believing it will make their dreams come true.

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