175-year-old ash tree has lived through a fifth of Glasgow’s 850 year history.
The man who looks after Britain’s newly-crowned ‘Tree of the Year’ says it has withstood the ‘Blitz, trams and Teslas’.
Arborist David Treanor has been responsible for the “Argyle Street Ash” outside the Franklin Terrace tenements in Glasgow for the last five years.
The 75-foot-tall has now been named for the Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year, with the tree taking the winning position after weeks of public voting.
The panel of experts did not initially select the 175-year-old ash as one of its nominees, but the public opted for it as the tenth choice.
It was originally proposed by David, from Paisley, who runs Treewise Urban Forestry.
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David said: “I’ve looked after the tree for over five years in a professional capacity, carrying out safety inspections and remedial work.
“Over time, I noticed it was resisting ash dieback far better than most trees I’ve encountered.
“That led me to dig deeper – both scientifically and historically.
“It became clear that this tree has survived the Victorian era, survived Glasgow’s ‘Age of Smoke,’ when coal soot darkened the air and buildings while Glasgow was the second city of the Empire.
“It survived the Clydeside Blitz and the 1968 storm when many tenements were destroyed.
“It has endured from Trams to Teslas.”
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.
Also known as The Lone Tree of Finnieston, the tree was described in James Cowan’s 1935 book From Glasgow’s Treasure Chest as “quite the most graceful ash I have seen.”
It was the first tree in Glasgow to receive a Tree Preservation Order and is regarded as a symbol of resilience locally, producing greenery and shade in an otherwise grey and urban part of the city.
Nine other trees from across the UK made up the list of nominees, including a sycamore growing at Napier University in Edinburgh, with the “Argyle Street Ash” being put forward by David as the wildcard pick.
He said: “We know that the tree is estimated to be 170 years old meaning it has lived through a fifth of Glasgow’s 850 year history
“In 1980 Glasgow District Council took the step to protect the tree under TPO No.1, Glasgow’s very first Tree Preservation Order.
“It’s been part of so many Glaswegians’ everyday lives that people often tell me they can’t imagine Argyle Street without it.”
Locals also expressed their delight at the nomination, reflecting on memories of the tree.
One man said: “In the 1970s as a student I’d open my curtains to see the tree every morning and later in life it inspired me to plant more trees across the city.”
Another said: “Me and my mates always admire the tree when having a few pints at the Park Bar.”
A third commented: “My parents met under that tree.”
Another local, Pat Lilly, remembers his grandparents renting the flat when he was a child.
Pat added: “I always remember the tree being in my Granny’s front garden, and I played there from being a toddler with lots of my cousins.
“It’s unbelievable that the tree has been selected to be in the running for Tree of the Year, 2025.”
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.”