LONDON, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- A tree created in the shape of the letter "n" by a young man to woo the girl of his dreams has been named Britain's tree of the year.
The unusual shape of the beech tree was created nearly 100 years ago in the English county of Yorkshire by Vic Stead. He regularly walked along an old colliery railway line from his home near Leeds, to visit Nellie, his girlfriend who lived in nearby Aberford. The couple married and brought up a family.
Still known as Nellie's Tree, it beat finalists from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to win the top prize in the Woodland Trust's search for Britain's tree of the year.
Though the couple have now passed away, Nellie's tree, also known by locals as the love tree, is a popular place for lovers to propose.
The romantic history of the tree won the hearts of voters, making it the clear winner in the annual competition.
Nellie's tree will now go forward into the contest to find Europe's tree of the year.
The tree was nominated by the couple's grandson, Chris Lund, who described how the story was told to him as a child by his grandparents.
According to Lund's story his grandfather once came across three beech saplings on his walk. He grafted one sapling between the other two to form the letter "n" in an affectionate love letter with a difference.
Lund said: "I am absolutely astounded and hugely happy with the support the tree has had. I think it's just the wonderful story behind it. It is a fitting tribute to my grandparents. It just shows how important it is to protect the nature around us and also what we could lose if we are not careful."
Kaye Brennan from the Woodland Trust, said: "Nellie's Tree is a really fitting winner as all our trees could do with a bit more love right now. Since last year's contest thousands of trees have been needlessly lost across towns and cities.
"We hope tale of Nellie's tree stands as a beacon for the need to protect our special trees and the wonderful tales they have to tell."
