An almost 1,000-year-old oak has been nominated for this year’s Tree of the Year award.

The Queen Elizabeth Oak near Midhurst is believed to have been planted in the 12th century and is named after the Tudor monarch who is believed to have visited the site in 1591.

Now the “magnificent” oak has been nominated alongside 11 others to compete for the Tree of the Year award, organised by the Woodland Trust.

The winning tree will go on to be nominated for the European Tree of the Year award.

Dr Kate Lewthwaite, citizen science manager at the Woodland Trust, said: “Some oaks that are alive today were already centuries old at the time of Queen Elizabeth I, or Charles Darwin.

“It’s humbling to think how many events these trees have lived through, and that reaching full maturity they can stand for hundreds of years as ancient trees – all the while continuing to provide vital habitat as they hollow and produce dead wood.”

The Queen Elizabeth Oak is the second largest sessile oak on record, after the 1,200-year-old Marton oak in Cheshire which has also been nominated.

The oak has a girth of 41 ft and has been hollowed out over time.

The Woodland Trust selected 12 trees on the theme of “magnificent oaks”.

The winner of the poll will be voted for by the public.

Adam Cormack, head of campaigns at the Woodland Trust said: “The history of our country is interwoven with these wonderful trees, which have built our ships and cities, and after which we have named so many places – and pubs!

“It is essential that future generations have the opportunity to stand under a centuries-old oak and wonder what stories it holds.”

Votes for the Tree of the Year awards are open until October 21.