The votes are in, and the UK has chosen its champion. The Argyle Street ash in Glasgow has been crowned Tree of the Year 2025, following thousands of public votes in the Woodland Trust’s annual competition.
A People’s Tree
Also known locally as The Lone Tree of Finnieston or The Only Tree on Argyle Street, this lofty ash has stood for more than 170 years alongside one of Glasgow’s busiest streets. It has become much more than a landmark – it is, in the words of its nominator David Treanor, “a people’s tree, one that lives in the hearts of Glaswegians and part of the city’s emotional architecture.”
The tree has witnessed the city’s history unfold – surviving the Clydeside Blitz, the rise and fall of industry, and now resisting the devastating impact of ash dieback disease. In recognition of its cultural and ecological value, it was the first tree in Glasgow to be protected by a tree preservation order.
Admired Across Generations
The Argyle Street ash has long been celebrated. In the 1930s, James Cowan praised it as “quite the most graceful ash I have seen” in a local newspaper column later published in From Glasgow’s Treasure Chest.
In more recent years, the tree has inspired cultural figures. Author Helen Babbs described it as “one of Glasgow’s best-loved ash trees” in her book Sylvan Cities, while Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian said: “It must have good genes to have made it. It’s hip now because it’s in Finnieston, but I say it was always cool.”
The Results
The Argyle Street ash took the crown with an impressive 27% of the vote, chosen from 10 finalists selected by an expert panel, alongside one tree nominated by the public.
- 🥇 Winner: Argyle Street ash, Glasgow – 27%
- 🥈 Runner-up: The King of Limbs, Savernake Forest – 24%
- 🥉 Third place: The Lonely Tree, Llanberis – 13%
Over 30,000 votes were cast in this year’s competition, reflecting the strong bond between communities and their local trees.
Next Stop: Europe
As the winner of the national award, the Argyle Street ash will now go on to represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year 2026 contest, where it will compete against remarkable trees from across the continent.
Thanks to Supporters
The Woodland Trust extends its thanks to everyone who voted and to the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery for supporting this year’s competition.
🌳 Tree of the Year is more than a contest – it is a celebration of the role trees play in our cultural, ecological and community life. The Argyle Street ash is a symbol of resilience, inspiration, and belonging – and now, it is officially the UK’s Tree of the Year 2025.