Newport Holding 3rd Annual Best Tree Contest

NEWPORT, R.I. (WPRI) - When you think of Newport's beaches, trees are probably not the first thing that come to mind.  However, tree expert Robert Currier points out, "Newport is an arboretum.  It has a tremendous amount of great tree species."

Towering high over Aquidneck Park behind the Newport Public Library, a huge Copper Beech tree sways in the wind.  It is one of the ten nominees in Newport's Tree of the Year contest, now in it's 3rd year.  You can vote for your favorite tree in the lobby of the Newport Public Library, where pictures and locations are included.  Voter Berit Hattedurs is casting her ballot for the Mongolian Oak which sits on Bellevue Court near The Elms.  She tells Eyewitness News, "In the winter, summer, fall, all the seasons, it's one of a kind in Newport."

Currier says that Newport is actually home to some of the rarest Oak trees around, "We have some very unusual Oak Trees in Newport...Mongolian Oaks, you just don't see that anywhere."

The last day of voting is December 30th.  If you can't make it to the library, you can vote online .