An ‘unusually graceful’ 170-year-old ash has been crowned Tree of the Year – after it was ignored by experts.
Glasgow‘s ‘Argyle Street Ash’ won the honour after being nominated by the public as this year’s wildcard entry.
A panel of experts selected nine trees of differing ages and species for the shortlist, but originally overlooked the now winner.
It was the public who chose the 10th as a wildcard, scooping the winning title.
Those nominated included an oak that may have inspired Virginia Woolf and a lime representing peace in Northern Ireland, a nod to this year’s theme of ‘rooted in culture’.
But it was the Argyle Street Ash that pulled in the most votes after being put forward by David Treanor – an arborist from Glasgow who has been managing the tree in recent years.
Mr Treanor pointed to its reference in the 1951 book by journalist James Cowan, From Glasgow’s Treasure Chest.
The book said of the tree: ‘This tree is unusually graceful for an Ash… It is quite the most graceful ash I have seen.’
Glasgow ‘s ‘Argyle Street Ash’ won the honour after being nominated by the public as this year’s wildcard entry
It was the Argyle Street Ash that pulled in the most votes after being put forward by David Treanor – an arborist from Glasgow who has been managing the tree in recent years.
The Glasgow tree narrowly beat the ‘King of Limbs’ oak that inspired a Radiohead album
His writing marks the first known published account of the tree’s existence almost a century ago.
The quote hangs framed in the pub opposite the tree.
As the winner of the competition, the ash will now progress to represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year finals in early 2026.
In recent years, ash trees across the UK have been dying out due to a fungal disease called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus.
But despite this, the Argyle Street Ash seems to be lasting the test of time.
The Tree Wise Street Surgeons said: ‘Despite harsh urban conditions and its isolated location, the Argyle Street Ash shows no significant dieback symptoms. After years of close observation, it appears to be resisting the disease that has brought down millions of others.
‘Some researchers believe that urban stressors — pollution, drought, hard surfaces — may, paradoxically, select for the most resilient individuals. This tree might be living proof.’
The Glasgow tree narrowly beat the ‘King of Limbs’ oak that inspired a Radiohead album, and the photographic ‘Lonely Tree’, which sits on the edge of the Llyn Padarn lake in North Wales.
A majestic cedar with low-sweeping boughs where The Beatles were photographed at London’s Chiswick House
Pictured: The ‘Lonely Tree’, which sits on the edge of the Llyn Padarn lake in North Wales
The ancient ‘Lady Jane Grey Oak’ in Leicester’s Bradgate Park, and a majestic cedar with low-sweeping boughs where The Beatles were photographed at London’s Chiswick House, completed the top five in the rankings.
The Woodland Trust said the ‘rooted in culture’ theme was chosen to celebrate how trees shape the cultural landscape in literature, music, poetry and art.
Adam Cormack, head of campaigning at the charity, said: ‘Trees really matter to people, and this is clear from the response we’ve seen to the Argyle Street Ash.
‘Trees inspire us to write stories and create art, whilst connecting us to cultural legacies and a sense of place.
‘We encourage people to notice and enjoy the trees around them, and learn more about how they benefit us – from boosting biodiversity and wellbeing, to mitigating the effects of climate change.’
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, which supported the competition, said, These trees, rooted in culture, show how valued they are by their communities, and the significant importance they have in our wider cultural history.
‘What a worthy winner the Argyle Street Ash is.’