A search has been launched to find Cumbria's favourite tree.
A £50,000 Heritage Lottery Fund project is taking place over the next twelve months, where local people are being urged to nominate their favourite.
Lowther Estate Forestry Manager, Ian Jack, said: “Jack’s Yak is a valued old friend and its shape and age give it so much character.
"Older trees, which we call veterans, have been through a lot and need our help to survive and thrive.
“We should think of them as old friends and not take them for granted. When people experience a lovely old building like a cathedral they are awed and inspired by its age and majesty.“It’s the same with old trees - only they are living.”
Iris Glimmerveen, a forestry expert behind Cumbria’s Top 50 Trees, said the human stories behind favourite trees will make the project unique: “There will be so many reasons why someone holds a tree in their heart. Maybe they planted it as a child and watched it grow over the decades.
“Or it could be a tree they climbed, gathered conkers from, sheltered under or even fell in love beside.
“Whatever people’s stories are for loving particular trees in Cumbria we want to hear them.”
Members of the public can nominate their favourite tree here and a top 50 will be selected by a special panel for public vote to find the top ten and ultimate winner.
Below: L-R Miranda Morgan, Iris Glimmerveen and Ian Jack launch Cumbria's Top 50 Trees at Jack's 'Yak' Oak at Lowther:
