The 2014 Scottish Tree of the Year was the Lady’s Tree, Dunkeld.
The search has begun for the 2015 Scottish Tree of the Year, which will celebrate community connections, stories and history associated with Scotland’s best loved trees.
The closing date for entries is Sunday 12 July, after which an independent panel of judges will shortlist six trees. Later in the year, a public online vote will decide the winner. The winning tree will be announced at a reception at the Scottish Parliament in October, and the tree will go on to be Scotland’s representative in the 2016 European Tree of the Year contest.
The competition is organised by the Woodland Trust Scotland and supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery, running alongside sister competitions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Organisers said:
“The competition is open to any living tree in Scotland, and anybody can enter. We’re looking for individuals or groups to nominate trees that have an amazing story to tell and to champion their trees through the competition.
“Virtually every community in Scotland has at least one tree that forms a local landmark or has a great story to tell. It could be associated with a famous figure or historical event. Maybe it’s the sole survivor of much bigger forest woodland, or one that local people rallied to save it from being felled? Or it might be a tree that everyone in the community knows and loves.”
To enter, simply fill out the online application form describing the the tree and how you would campaign for it to win a public vote. A photograph of the tree should be included and permission sought from the owner of the land on which the tree stands.
More information about the competition can be found at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/treeoftheyear.
