2025 Tree of the Year: The wide spreading Turkish Oak

As we make peace with 2025 being written in stone, it’s time to reflect of another amazing year working with (and enjoying) the incredible collection of trees in the great city of Newport. 2025 gifted us a consistently cold winter, a chilly and moist start to spring, then warming up quickly to a hot and dry summer, followed by a cool and damp autumn season. Many exotic trees that enjoy droughty summer conditions in their native lands grew blissfully as rain refused to fall and the sunshine was constant.

It is only fitting that our prestigious Tree of Year recipient is one such tree that thrives with a hot and dry summer. Not only is our winning tree a majestic and noble specimen, but it’s also highly visible to Newport residents, and holds a unique form and character that makes it memorable. The public’s response to this individuals Tree of the Week post in February confirmed the feelings I personally had.

Without any further to-do, I’m thrilled to announce the 2025 Tree of the Year – The wide spreading Turkish Oak (Quercus cerris) growing in the Braham Cemetery along Farewell Street!

Turkish Oak, as a species, is a staple in Newport’s urban forest, with numerous mature specimens located throughout Newport, from the busy downtown streets, to the quiet reprieves of estate landscapes. The Braham Cemetery oak separates itself from the many other Turkish oaks with its physics-defying branching habit, spreading to incredible width over many gravestones and burials. An invaluable feature in the garden cemetery – setting the scene of eternal paradise, enjoyed by the living and the deceased.

As we enter 2026, lets continue to enjoy, steward, and interpret the amazing trees growing with us in Newport!