Local woman’s autumnal image crowned photography competition winner
An amateur photographer from Exeter has been crowned the winner of this year’s tree photography competition.
A local woman’s autumnal image has wowed judges to be crowned the winner of this year’s tree photography competition.
The competition, run by Exeter City Council, attracted more than 100 entries.
Amateur photographer Jackie Witkin submitted a photo of Japanese maple trees framing a pond on the University of Exeter campus.
She wins a framed photograph of her picture and a copy of the book ‘A Portrait of the Tree’ by Adrian Houston.
Alison Fewins has been awarded runner-up for her image of sunshine breaking through a line of trees, taken at Hamlin Lane Playing Fields. She will receive a framed photograph of her picture.
The junior award was won by 14-year-old Evelyn Collman. The budding photographer submitted a shot of a tree on Exeter Cathedral Green framed by the setting sun.
Evelyn also wins a book and a copy of her image.
2026 marks the seventh year the council has run the competition. This year’s prizes were donated by Devon Tree Services.
Simon Putt, managing director of Devon Tree Services, said: “There were some fantastic entries this year, and I always look forward to sitting down and going through them. It’s a pleasure to see the city’s wonderful trees captured in so many different ways.”
This year’s winners were announced ahead of National Tree Week, which takes place from November 21 to 29.
National Tree Week, organised by registered charity The Tree Council, marks the start of the winter tree planting season. It’s the UK’s largest annual tree celebration.
The Tree Council hopes the week will bring people together to raise awareness of the role trees play in our lives. Nature lovers up and down the country will spend the week planting thousands of trees and hedgerows.
You can learn more about how to get involved here.