The search is on to find the best tree photographs in Exeter, with great prizes up for grabs in the City Council’s 2026 Tree Photography Competition.
It’s the seventh year running the City Council has run the competition, which takes place in the run up to National Tree Week – 21 to 29 November.
And with autumn colours starting to emerge, people are being encouraged to take a picture of their favourite tree in Exeter and enter the competition.
Once again, 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 Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor with responsibility for Public Realm Management, said: “It’s great to see the competition back once again. We love trees and so do the people of Exeter and this competition always proves so popular with around 100 entries every year, with some stunning images!
“Thanks to Devon Tree Services, we have another set of terrific prizes up for grabs and I can’t wait to see all images this autumn. The competition really gives us an idea of the most treasured trees in Exeter.”
People can upload their pictures by using the following link https://tinyurl.com/PhotoComp26 or alternatively email entries (maximum of two per person) 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 the photographer and an accurate location of the tree and the date the picture was taken (images must have been taken after 1 October 2026).
The closing date for entries is Monday 9 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 1 October 2026 – 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 21 to 29 November. Further information about national events can be found on the Tree Council website at https://treecouncil.org.uk/seasonal-campaigns/national-tree-week/
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