Essex's favourite tree is in the running to become the country's first ever Tree of the Year.
Old Knobbley, situated in Tendring village Mistley, has been nominated as one of the ten finalists in the Woodland Trust's new competition.
The winner will represent England against competitors from Wales, Scotland and elsewhere in Europe in a competition run by the Environmental Partnership Association in April 2015.
Over 200 trees were nominated in the initial rounds of voting so Old Knobbley, which is said to be up to 800 years old, has fought off fierce competition to get this far.
But now it's down to the business end of the competition and Old Knobbley is up against a whole host of historic trees.
These include the Ankerwycke Yew at Runneymeade where King John is said to have signed the Magna Carta and the Flower of Kent apple tree at Woolsthorpe Manor, in Lincolnshire, that Isaac Newton is supposed to have sat under.
Woodland Trust Ancient Tree Specialist Jill Butler said: "We sometimes take our trees for granted, but every nomination in this contest reminds us how trees are incredibly significant in people's lives, over many years.
"More importantly we want this recognition to be a step in ensuring all our special trees can be protected for future generations to enjoy."
Here is the full shortlist for the inaugural Tree of the Year
- Ankerwycke Yew, Runnymede, Berkshire
- Kett's Oak, Norfolk
- Major Oak, Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
- Allerton Oak, Liverpool
- Whiteleaved Oak, Herefordshire
- Shugborough Yew, Staffordshire
- Big Bellied Oak, Savernake Forest, Wiltshire
- Newton's Apple Tree, Lincolnshire
- Old Knobbley, Essex
- Ickwell Oak, Bedfordshire
Old Knobbley is a much loved local icon in Mistley and even has a website dedicated to it as well as a biography printed about it called Old Knobbley the Oak Tree.
But with just ten trees left there can only be one winner.
Voting is now open and will remain so until Tuesday, November 4.
To vote go to the Woodland Trust's website at woodlandtrust.org.uk/vote.
For more information about Old Knobbley go to oldknobbley.com
