The Chained Oak tree in Staffordshire, which influenced the Hex ride at Alton Towers, has been nominated for Tree of the Year 2020.
Voting is now open in the Woodland Trust’s award for the best tree in England.
The Chained Oak is the basis of local folklore in Staffordshire, where it is claimed that a death would occur in the Earl of Shrewsbury’s family for every branch that fell.
The legend claims that a beggar woman who was dismissed by the Earl placed a curse on his family, and as a result he had the branches of the tree chained up to prevent any further deaths.
Today the tree is in a considerable state of decline, having partially collapsed in places.
Voting closes at 12 noon on 24 September. You can take part on the Woodland Trust website.