The Major Oak needs your vote

Think of Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood and what springs to mind? For most of you it is likely to be the Major Oak. Estimated to be 800 to 1,000 years old, weighing in at 23 tonnes and supposedly the hiding place for Robin Hood and his Merry Men, this is one impressive tree. Now, the Major Oak needs your help! It is in the running to be named England's Tree of the Year, a national competition ran by the Woodland Trust. The charity has received over 200 nominations, which has now been shortlisted down to only ten – and the Major Oak is one of them. To cast your vote, visit the Woodland Trust's website and choose the Major Oak! Closing date for votes is Tuesday 4^th November 2014. This competition has got me thinking about some of Nottinghamshire's other impressive trees which can be admired as you explore outdoors. So here’s my round-up of some of the county’s best ones, which look particularly beautiful in autumn. Clumber Park: For stunning autumnal colours and that special scent of fallen leaves, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Clumber Park. The National Trust property is a former Ducal estate and home to the Lime Tree Avenue, which is the longest lime tree avenue in Europe. These trees make for a spectacular sight in the Autumn as they turn. The park itself is 3,800 acres and features extensive woodlands, walking trails and cycling trails, as well as onsite cycle hire. Hodsock Priory: Time your Clumber Park visit well and can also stop off at the historic Hodsock Priory, one of Nottinghamshire’s heritage gems in Worksop. On the Hodsock Estate, since the late 1990s, around 300 willows have been grown to make cricket bats which are sold all over the world. Discover more about their willow trees from a previous blog. Should you choose to visit Hodsock in early spring, their Snowdrops experience is beautiful, with 12-acres of beautiful snowdrop-covered woodland. Kelham Hall & Country Park: Close to Newark, Kelham Hall is a magnificent Victorian house, built in 1863, set within 44-acres of gardens and parklands. Earlier this year, The Tree Register recognised its London Plane tree, known as Platanus Hispanica, as the largest and tallest in the UK. Kelham Hall is well worth coming along for, and there are a number of family facilities to enjoy all year round along with a full events calendar. Sherwood Pines Forest Park: Recognised as the largest forest open to the public in the East Midlands, Sherwood Pines has over 3,300 acres of pine trees to discover. Exploring on two wheels or on foot is the best way to experience the season change. You can easily get around with no roads to worry about and there are a number of set cycling routes you can follow, depending on your level of cycling experience, as well as walking trails. Do you have a favourite tree or spot of woodland in Nottinghamshire? Let us know on our Facebook or Twitter page. Don't forget to use #VoteMajorOak.