Loch of Lowes pine wins over public's heart

A Perthshire pine at the heart of a conservation success story has taken the title of Scottish Tree of the Year 2014.

In the annual contest which aims to find the nation’s best loved tree, Lady’s Tree, nominated by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, won the public vote from six finalists from around Scotland.

The tree is a 100 year old Scots pine at Loch of the Lowes nature reserve near Dunkeld.

It has also been home to Lady, the famous osprey, for the last 24 years - during which time she has laid 71 eggs and fledged 50 chicks.

Thousands of votes were received from the public in the competition. The winner was followed in second place by Moffat's Gowk Tree. The Clachan Oak in Balfron secured third place.

This iconic Scots pine is very much part of a wider conservation success story - Jonny Hughes

Lady’s Tree will go on to compete against trees from 12 countries from around Europe in European Tree of the Year 2015, organised by the Environmental Partnership Association. Voting takes place in February.

Jonny Hughes, chief executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “The Scottish Wildlife Trust is delighted that Lady’s Tree has won the prestigious Scottish Tree of the Year award.

“This iconic Scots pine at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Reserve is very much part of a wider conservation success story.

“Ospreys were extinct in Scotland but through dedicated conservation efforts such as the osprey protection programme undertaken at Loch of the Lowes every year, the population in Scotland is thriving once again.

Carol Evans, director of the Woodland Trust Scotland, said: “I’d like to congratulate each of the finalists for carrying out heartfelt campaigns to encourage local people and supporters to publicly back their trees, which they clearly love and value. Each tree represent an important part of their natural heritage.”