Manchester Poplar Tree which is symbol of industrial revolution nominated for Tree of the Year Award

A Poplar tree in Gorton, Greater Manchester has been nominated for a national award. The tree is in the running to be crowned ‘Tree of the Year’ by charity the Woodland Trust. 

The Poplar Tree is one of over a dozen trees nominated by the charity. It has been described as a symbol of Manchester's rich industrial past. 

The tree, which is a Black Poplar, was a rare type of tree which thrived despite the unclean conditions of the heavy industry. When many of Manchester’s trees perished, the Black Poplar remained. 

Despite surviving the industrial revolution, the population of black poplars, which are also known as Manchester poplars, has dwindled. This is due to disease and the tree in Gorton's Annie Lees Park is one of only a few thousand remaining. 

Woodland Trust has a fact-file on each of the trees nominated. The Manchester Poplar has an unknown age and a girth of over four metres. 

Nominations are open now. To vote for the Manchester Poplar, visit the Woodland Trust website