Get snapping and win prizes in tree photography competition

The search is on once again to find the best photographs of trees in Exeter with some great prizes up for grabs.

For the sixth year running, Exeter City Council is running its annual tree photography competition in the run up to National Tree Week – 22 to 30 November.  

With autumn colours starting to emerge, people are being encouraged to take a picture of their favourite tree in Exeter and enter the competition. 

The City Council (ECC) has teamed up with its arboricultural contractors Devon Tree Services, who are offering up a series of great prizes. 

The person who takes the best image will win a copy of the book ‘A Portrait of the Tree’ by Adrian Houston – a celebration of favourite trees from around Britain, along with a framed photograph of their picture. The runner-up will receive a framed photograph of their picture. Once again there is also an under-16 category for budding junior photographers, with the same prizes for the winner and runner-up. 

Cllr Ruth Williams, Lead Councillor for City Management, said: “Year after year, this competition proves so popular – last year we received nearly 100 entries! 

“With another set of terrific prizes up for grabs, I can’t wait to see all the fantastic images to get an idea of the most loved trees in Exeter.” 

People can upload their pictures by using the following link https://tinyurl.com/TreePhoto25 or alternatively email their entry to treesupport@exeter.gov.uk

Alternatively, pictures can be sent to: Public Realm Trees, room 3.32, civic centre, Exeter EX1 1JN.  

Entries must be clearly marked ‘ECC tree photo competition’ and have a name, age (if under 16 years) of photographer and an accurate location of the tree and the date the picture was taken (images must have been taken after 24 September 2025). 

The closing date for entries is Monday 10 November but get snapping before Autumn winds blow all the leaves off the trees! 

Pictures can be with or without people but must include a tree from within Exeter. They can be selfies, arty shots, black and white or colour images. They might be fun shots with children, friends or family in or just a simple shot of your favourite tree. If there are people in the shot, please ensure that they have given their permission to be photographed. 

Pictures must have been taken recently – after 24 September 2025 – and images submitted for previous competitions will not be allowed. There is a maximum of two entries per person.  

The competition is open to everyone – whether living in Exeter or outside – but entrants must be amateur photographers. The City Council reserve the right to reproduce any pictures submitted in future publications, online stories or social media posts. 

A judging panel will decide the best pictures and prizes awarded to the best adult and runner-up and best junior entry and runner-up. 

National Tree Week is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration, marking the start of the winter tree planting season (November to March each year). This year it will take place from 22 to 30 November. Further information about national events can be found on the Tree Council website at https://treecouncil.org.uk/seasonal-campaigns/national-tree-week/