Meet the man who cares for 'lonely' tree on Glasgow's Argyle Street
The Paisley native has nominated the 75-foot-tall attraction for the Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year, making the top 10 shortlist.
David Treanor, an arborist and owner of Treewise Urban Forestry pictured with the "Argyle Street Ash "tree outside the Franklin Terrace tenements on Argyle Street in the West End of Glasgow. (Image: Colin Mearns)
He explained what inspired him to put the tree forward.
David said: "Its location and striking form mean it nearly always leads press coverage with a kind of quiet defiance – standing in the heart of Argyle Street like it always has.
"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."
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.
Pat Lilly, and his daughter Louise, pictured in front of the tree (Image: Colin Mearns) Nine other trees from across the UK make up the list, including a sycamore growing at Napier University in Edinburgh, with the "Argyle Street Ash" being put forward by David as the wildcard pick.
READ MORE: UK Government announce £39million investment in Renfrewshire
A picture of a tree from 1962 (Image: Newsquest) The other nine were selected by a panel of experts. David also opened up on the history of the tree.
He continued: "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
"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 Tesla's. 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."
Voting for the competition opened on Friday, July 11, with the winner being decided in September 19, with the winner going on to represent the UK at the European Tree of the Year finals.
You can vote by clicking here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
4 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Montagu's harriers breed for first time in the UK in years
The Montagu's harriers were first seen at the now secret location in May, with the RSPB working with the farmer who owned the land to protect them. It marks the first time the Montagu's harrier has successfully bred in the UK since 2019. It is believed one of them is from the UK and the other from France. Montagu's Harrier (m) Early morning Alentejo, Portugal As explained by the RSPB, the Montagu's Harrier is a 'slim, medium-sized, long-winged bird of prey'. Its tail, while long, is smaller than a Buzzard, and more pointed than the similar Hen Harrier's. The male is grey on top and while flying, it shows black wingtips and a black stripe across the inner wing. The female is dark brown The Montagu's harrier is described by the charity as an 'extremely rare breeding bird in the UK', with each pair needing 'special protection'. Four Montagu's Harrier juveniles (Image: RSPB/PA) Montagu's Harriers was placed on the 'red list' of birds most at risk in 2021. The pair were first seen at a secret location in the UK in May. The RSPB worked with the farmer on whose land the birds were to protect the nesting attempt. A nest was located in June by the licensed use of a drone and then closely monitored by a volunteer birdwatcher and the wildlife charity. The RSPB set up a small protective fence around the nest once the chicks had hatched, to protect them from predators such as foxes. The pair managed to raise four healthy youngsters to fledging, with the chicks ringed in mid-July and making their first flights last week. Both the adult birds were themselves previously ringed, with the male identified as a chick from a nest in the UK in 2015, and the female from a nest in France in 2023. A post shared by RSPB (@rspb) Montagu's harriers winter in Africa and return to Europe to nest, often setting up home in agricultural fields – particularly winter-sown cereals in the UK – and can return to the same location each year. The RSPB said it hoped the birds will migrate safely to Africa, and the adults will return next year to breed again. Mark Thomas, Montagu's harrier species lead at RSPB, said: 'We are overjoyed that a pair have returned, they managed to find each other and through the close protection of a dedicated farmer and the RSPB, have managed to raise four youngsters. 'This Anglo-French alliance could just be the springboard needed to save this species in Britain.' Many birds in the country are considered rare species. According to the Woodland Trust, some of the rarest birds in Britain's woodland include the Hawfinch, the Lesser spotted woodpecker, Nightingale and Capercaillie. Others mentioned that are difficult to see include the Willow tit, Goshawk, and Wood warbler. There are also rare birds that you can spot in your garden if you are lucky. As Gardeners World explains, sometimes you garden might provide food, shelter or nesting sites for rare bird species. Rare garden birds include the Waxwing, Tree Sparrow, Brambling and Goldcrest. Recommended reading: The Bullfinch, Nuthatch and Grey Wagtail are among others listed. It is recommended that if you spot a species you do not recognise, try and see what common species it relates to. A photograph or quick sketch can help you identify it later using a field guide, or on a website or an app.
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Meet the man who cares for 'lonely' tree on Glasgow's Argyle Street
David Treanor, an arborist and owner of Treewise Urban Forestry, has been responsible for the "Argyle Street Ash" outside the Franklin Terrace tenements for the last five years. The Paisley native has nominated the 75-foot-tall attraction for the Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year, making the top 10 shortlist. David Treanor, an arborist and owner of Treewise Urban Forestry pictured with the "Argyle Street Ash "tree outside the Franklin Terrace tenements on Argyle Street in the West End of Glasgow. (Image: Colin Mearns) He explained what inspired him to put the tree forward. David said: "Its location and striking form mean it nearly always leads press coverage with a kind of quiet defiance – standing in the heart of Argyle Street like it always has. "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." 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. Pat Lilly, and his daughter Louise, pictured in front of the tree (Image: Colin Mearns) Nine other trees from across the UK make up the list, including a sycamore growing at Napier University in Edinburgh, with the "Argyle Street Ash" being put forward by David as the wildcard pick. READ MORE: UK Government announce £39million investment in Renfrewshire A picture of a tree from 1962 (Image: Newsquest) The other nine were selected by a panel of experts. David also opened up on the history of the tree. He continued: "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 "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 Tesla's. 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." Voting for the competition opened on Friday, July 11, with the winner being decided in September 19, with the winner going on to represent the UK at the European Tree of the Year finals. You can vote by clicking here.
Edinburgh Reporter
4 days ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh Tree on Shortlist for 2025
A sycamore tree linked to a famous war poet is in the running to be named the UK's Tree of the Year 2025 – and people in Edinburgh can help by voting for it. The 'Wilfred Owen Sycamore' grows in the grounds of Edinburgh Napier University, formerly Craiglockhart War Hospital when the poet was treated there for shell shock in 1917. Owen met and was inspired by fellow poet Siegfried Sassoon at the hospital, and wrote his most famous poems there, before returning to France in 1918, where he was killed in action. When a large branch was removed for safety in 2014, instrument maker Steve Burnett made a violin from the wood to commemorate 100 years since the start of World War I and honour Owen's memory. The violin has Owen's pre-war poem 'Written in a Wood, September 1910' inscribed inside it. The sycamore is one of ten inspiring 'cultural trees' shortlisted for the Woodland Trust's annual Tree of the Year competition, supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery. The shortlist was announced by Dame Judi Dench, Woodland Trust Patron, who said: 'Our oldest trees hold more stories than Shakespeare — some were putting down roots long before he began writing, more than 400 years ago. 'They are as much part of our heritage as any literature.' The shortlist features trees of differing ages and species, with nine selected by a panel of experts and a wildcard from the public. The winner, to be announced in September, will represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year finals. Nominees were chosen along the theme 'Rooted in Culture', highlighting how trees are ingrained in the UK's cultural landscape. The Wilfred Owen Sycamore is one of two Scottish trees listed, along with the 'Argyle Street Ash', which is this year's public wildcard nomination. The 75-ft tall ash in the front garden of 1223 Argyle Street – on Franklin Terrace – was the first tree in Glasgow to receive a Tree Preservation Order and has become a symbol of resilience in the city. It has survived Victorian industry, the Clydeside Blitz and recent redevelopments while also avoiding killer diseases such as ash dieback. Other trees on the shortlist include 'The Beatles' cedar tree' in West London, which featured on the Fab Four's Nowhere Man EP cover, and a solitary beech on Salisbury Plain known as 'the Lollipop Tree', which featured in the final scenes of the war film '1917' . Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People's Postcode Lottery said: 'We're delighted our players are supporting this year's Tree of the Year competition. 'These trees have witnessed key moments in history, provided solace to war poets, been a supporting artist in a blockbuster film, and inspire reflection and creative photography as the seasons change. 'We're looking forward to seeing which one the public votes as the winning tree.' Voting is open until 19 September here. In 2017 instrument maker Steve Burnett created the Wilfred Owen violin from the branch of a sycamore tree standing in the grounds of the Craiglockhart building, now part of Edinburgh Napier University, to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War in 2014. Owen and Sassoon would have walked in the grounds of the hospital a century ago and known many of the trees still to be found there and this was the second violin to be created in memory of the war poets from the same branch. Photo George Anderson WTML Like this: Like Related
