Cash prizes offered for best trees
The UK-based Woodland Heritage non-profit organisation, in conjunction with the British and Irish Hardwoods Improvement Programme (BIHIP), offer up to nine Sir Eric Weiss prizes of £250 (€375) each to landowners, local authorities, the Forestry Commission and members of the public who can locate the best mature examples of oak, ash, common walnut, sweet chestnut, silver birch, sycamore and wild cherry.
The best of the trees will be used to create seed orchards for the nursery industry. Ideally trees should be 50 years old or more, but outstandingly good quality younger trees may also be considered.
They should be growing in woods, parkland and public gardens in Great Britain or Ireland, and should have excellent timber characteristics - clean, straight cylindrical stems, vigorous growth, a flat branching angle, light branching and freedom from pests and diseases.
Anyone interested in taking part can complete and submit the form available on the www.bihip.com or www.forestresearch.gov.uk websites with a photograph of their tree before the end of December, 2005.
Only the best three or four of each species will actually be visited.
