Oak tree at Bowthorpe Park Farm near Bourne secures grant from government’s Green Recovery Challenge Funding scheme and expert care from the Woodland Trust

One of Britain’s biggest and oldest oak trees is to receive special funding to safeguard its future.

The majestic 1,000-year-old oak tree at Bowthorpe Park Farm near Bourne will benefit from the government’s Green Recovery Challenge Funding scheme, and expert care from the conservation charity the Woodland Trust.

With a girth of 13.4m, the ancient Bowthorpe Oak is not only an incredible sight, but its hollow trunk provides a perfect habitat for insects, birds and other animals.

The funding of about £1,000 will cover the cost of a specialist survey and some much-needed work to secure its impressive, yet fragile, large branches.

It will also fund its yearly survey to ensure it is safe.

Woodland Trust spokeswoman Louise Hackett said: “The Bowthorpe Oak tree is a magnificent specimen.

"The size of it alone is a truly awesome sight but its appeal goes far beyond its grandeur, so we are delighted this funding will help to ensure it can be enjoyed for decades to come.

“The money from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund will also allow saplings from acorns of the oak to be planted in nearby fields to enrich the surrounding habitat, while new hedgerows will create a buffer zone and wooded corridors for wildlife.”

Five generations of the Blanchard family have farmed the land since the 1940s.

George Blanchard, who has lived and worked on the farm all his life, said the pedunculate oak 'has always been part of family life'.

“We have noticed changes in the past five years and are delighted that the funding will help us look after the tree to the best of our ability and with the correct expertise,” he added.

In 2002, the Bowthorpe Oak was named one of 50 'Great British Trees' by the Tree Council in celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and in 2016 the tree received a £500 grant from the Woodland Trust for finishing fifth in the charity’s popular Tree of the Year competition.