National Tree Week runs from Saturday 22nd to Sunday 30th November 2025.

All week, in their Winter states without leaves, Sheffield’s street trees will be showing off their amazing structures in the rain or occasional sunshine. Take some time to look up and admire.

The 160-year old Vernon Oak is looking particularly spectacular. It originally set seed around 1860 and grew as a field edge boundary tree for many years, until houses and streets were built around it in the 1930s.

It was scheduled for felling on the 16th October 2017 but this was prevented by residents, a tweet from TV presenter Vernon Kay, and notably a protestor (carrying supplies including a sleeping bag) climbing into its branches.

A small, and very low, build-out of the kerb has now been added, so it can continue to impress for another 160 years and remain “a biotic inhabitant of the city, with a story that is intertwined with people and place” (“Roots of Resilience: Cultural Values of the Vernon Oak” by Camilla Allen & Jan Woudstra).

If you are passing, take the chance to appreciate the Vernon Oak in its Winter glory!