Giant Grey Poplar entered in European Tree of the Year 2014 Contest
9th January 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date: 9/01/2014
Tom Roche
Just Forests
086 8049389
tomroche@justforests.org
Group Celebrates Tree’s Nomination
Giant Offaly Tree Is Ireland’s Entry In European Contest
Tullamore: Just Forests, a forest campaigning group, specializing in education for sustainable development (ESD), announced that they have been successful in having the giant Grey Poplar tree (populous x canescens) in Birr Castle Demesne accepted as Ireland’s entry in the European Tree of the Year 2014 Contest.
The Birr nomination comes hot on the heels of the group’s success in having the ‘King Oak’ in Charleville Forest Estate Tullamore reach third place in the contest in 2013 with over 5,700 votes.
While having the Grey Poplar tree entered in the contest is the first step, Just Forests founder/coordinator Tom Roche said, “We will need all the votes we can get as the competition will be very stiff this time round. Wales, Scotland, France and Italy have entered the contest for the first time.” This brings the total of European countries entered in the contest to 10 this year.
The custodian of Birr Castle Demesne where the Grey Poplar stands, Brendan Parsons, Earl of Rosse said, “We are delighted that this magnificent 200 years old tree is Ireland’s entry in the 2014 contest. It is a worthy entrant and we would appeal to all the people of Ireland to vote for this tree when voting commences on 1st February, 2014.”
ENDS
What the papers say:
More on the European Tree of the Year Contest
