MUCH has been said about the need to preserve the nation's built heritage.

This year has seen the sorrow caused by the fire at the Glasgow School of Art's Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed library, and the pride engendered by the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Forth Road Bridge. Of equal value to the nation's sense of wellbeing, however, is the preservation and promotion of our natural heritage.

It is good, therefore, to take the time to acknowledge the beauty and worth of some of our most notable trees. The title of Scottish Tree of the Year goes to a specimen that is itself something of an ecological hero - Lady's Tree, a 100-year-old Scots pine at the Loch of the Lowes nature reserve, has for 24 years been home to the eponymous osprey thought to be the world's oldest raptor. Lady has fledged 50 chicks from the safety of its branches.

Perthshire's finest will now be in competition with trees from 12 countries around the continent for the arboreal accolade of European Tree of the Year 2015. While such titles may seem fanciful, they play a valuable role in promoting the concept of conservation. The nation wishes its local hero growing success.