ELLESMERE Tree Hunter Rob McBride and a team of judges have chose Offa's Dyke's greatest tree.

Saturday, July 10 marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Offa's Dyke Path national trail.

To mark this event, 'tree hunter' Rob McBride, founder of Ellesmere-based Treespect CIC, hosted a contest to find the most remarkable trees along – and in the vicinity of – the Offa's Dyke path and monument.

A panel of judges were selected, including Bianca Jagger, TV presenter Iolo Williams, journalist Patrick Barkham, artist Dan Llywelyn Hall, Llandegla Primary school Eco Council and others.

After much deliberation, the judges have now voted for their favourite tree in the inaugural Great Trees of Offa's Dyke contest.

The judges have chose the Spider Tree OF Penycloddiau, as nominated by North Wales Wildlife Trust and in memory of Thomas Iliff Simey.

Rob said it was a tight contest, with the eventual winner not being decided until the very end.

"It was a close run thing with two trees vying for pole position," said Rob.

"After half of the judging panel had voted the early leader was the Walnut tree named, The Memories Tree.

"The Spider Tree was doggedly keeping pace in second place.

"As more votes came in, another tree, The Molten Yew raised it head.

"When all votes were in the incredible Spider Tree came out as the winner, claiming top spot.

"This magnificent Rowan crawls like a huge spider over the ramparts of the Iron Age hillfort at Penycloddiau in north east Wales.

"This phoenix tree was first recorded in 2015 by Iliff Simey, who was a local advocate of Natural Forest Practice at his woodland Coed Nant Gain near Mold.

"Iliff had a deep personal connection to the fragments of ancient woodland and heritage trees clinging to the small streams running through the Clwydian hills.

"This section of the Offa's Dyke Path was his favourite, stopping off to admire the incredible resilience of the Rowan tree and sharing the experiences of the many thousands of walkers in the shadow of its undulating branches or legs."

Runner up in the contest was the Molten Yew, nominated by Ian Rowley and third was the Memories Tree, nominated by Julie Lee.