Ireland goes for royal tree glory with King Oak

If China can have a Year of the Snake, Ireland might yet be celebrating the Year of the Tree.

Voting for European Tree of the Year 2013 starts today and Ireland is in with a real chance with a giant oak nominated for its special branches — and even more special memories.

Known as King Oak, it is a majestic work of nature that has dominated the demesne of Charleville Estate in Tullamore, Co Offaly, for more than 400 years. It has been accepted as Ireland’s entry in the 2013 European Tree of the Year Contest.