The Times shares a photo essay of some of the country’s most beautifiul and magnificent trees, with fascinating stories accompanying them. A sycamore decorated with the shoes of jubilant students, an oak bound in chains and a plane facing the chop, are just three of ten contenders for this year’s title in the annual Woodland Trust competition. 

The Crouch Oak in Addlestone, Surrey is amongst them. Chosen, its nominator says “because it’s simply old and Queen Elizabeth I is said to have picnicked under it”. In the early 19th century the tree was fenced off by the landowner to stop local young women stripping its bark to make love potions. [Sorry we can’t find a non-copyrighted photo to show you this glorious tree here. If you have a photo of this tree please do share it with us and we will add it here, credited to you.)