Glasgow’s “Argyle Street Ash” has won the prestigious Tree of the Year 2025 title after being nominated as a wildcard entry by the British public.
The tree, found on one of the city's most heaving roads, won the public vote in the competition organised by the Woodlands Trust on Thursday.
But the panel of tree-loving experts initially snubbed the ash after selecting nine other trees of varying species and age for the competition's shortlist.
The public was then allowed to select a 10th and final entry as the wildcard.
The tree is situated on one of the city's most heaving roads won the public vote in the competition
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The theme of the competition's 2025 edition was "rooted in culture".
Other trees nominated included an oak which is thought to have inspired author Virginia Woolf and a lime symbolising peace in Northern Ireland.
The Argyle Street Ash was put forward by Glasgow arborist David Treanor, who has taken care of the tree in recent years.
It was referenced in James Cowan's 1951 book, Glasgow’s Treasure Chest, which labels the tree “quite the most graceful ash I have seen”.
The stunning Glaswegian tree will now go own to represent Britain at the European Tree of the Year finals, scheduled to take place next year.
The Argyle Street Ash faced stiff competition from the 'King of Limbs' oak
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The Argyle Street Ash faced stiff competition from the "King of Limbs” oak, which served as inspiration for a Radiohead album of the same name to claim the title.
It also came up against the over-800-year-old “Lady Jane Grey Oak” in Leicester’s Bradgate Park, and the stunning "Lonely Tree" found on the edge of North Wales' Llyn Padarn lake.
The "rooted in culture" theme was chosen by the Woodland Trust to praise how trees have influenced Britain's culture in literature, art, poetry and music.
The trust's head of campaigning, Adam Cormack, said: “Trees really matter to people, and this is clear from the response we’ve seen to the Argyle Street Ash.
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“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.”
The Tree of the Year competition was backed by The People's Postcode Lottery.
The group's head of charities, Laura Chow, 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.”
The winner of the competition receives a £1,000 donation from The People's Postcode Lottery to go towards the upkeep of the tree
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The Woodland Trust's UK-wide contest was first held in 2014, which saw the Brimmon Okay from Powys, Wales, claim the title.
The winner of the competition receives a £1,000 donation from The People's Postcode Lottery to go towards the upkeep of the tree.
The other shortlisted nominees each receive £500 grants.
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