Elm dubbed 'The Last Ent' wins Tree of the Year

But now it is forgotten no longer after being named Scotland's tree of the year 2019, ahead of five other finalists in an online vote run by Woodland Trust Scotland.

Camley's Cartoon: Scotland's oldest tree.

The "Last Ent" quietly spread its branches and leaves on a spur off Glen Affric until it was recorded during a site visit by Forest and Land Scotland (FLS) and Trees for Life staff in 2012.

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It is the only one of its kind in the glen and thought to once had been the descendant of a stand of trees which have now vanished.

The Last Ent of Affric is hundreds of years old and, thanks to its remote location 11km from the nearest road, escaped the ravages of Dutch Elm disease which spread through the Highlands.

Last night, FLS said they were "absolutely delighted" that the tree had won the accolade in this year, which also marks the centenary of the Forestry Act.

Giles Brockman of FLS, who nominated the gnarled tree, said: "The origin of this great veteran is shrouded in mystery. Growing on the rocky outflow of a mountain stream, it is not a place where you would choose to plant a tree, there being little soil under the moss that covers the rocks. So this must be a survivor of a forest long departed.

"Given its location, its isolation, and its peculiar 'face', it’s very easy to imagine it as one of Tolkien’s Ents standing sentinel over the rebirth of a new native woodland in Affric."

The Tree of the Year competition celebrates the country’s best loved trees, from historic giants to those with a special local story to tell.

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Following public nominations earlier this year, judges shortlisted the six finalists for a public vote.

The winning tree will receive a £1000 Care Award thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, which can be spent on work to bolster the health of the tree, signage and interpretation or a community celebration.

It will also be honoured at a ceremony in the Scottish Parliament later this year, when a trophy will be presented to its supporters.

Sanjay Singh, senior programmes manager with People’s Postcode Lottery, said: "We’re delighted players of People’s Postcode Lottery have supported the Woodland Trust’s search for 2019’s Tree of the Year, a competition highlighting the need to ensure our ancient trees are valued and protected.

"There were many fascinating entries with incredible stories behind them."

The first runner-up was named as "The Peace Tree", an oak planted to mark the signing of the treaty ending the First World War, and which is officially recognised as a national war memorial.

The oak was planted by the Provost of Stonehaven at Dunnottar Church on July 6, 1919, and is officially recognised as a national war memorial. On July 6 this year, 100 years from when its seed was first planted, a service was held to mark its first century.

Once hidden away by brambles, the tree has been returned to view in recent years and celebrated its 100th birthday by producing a good crop of acorns for the first time in some years.

Netty's tree, on the island of Eriskay, was last year’s winner.

The "Cadzow Oak" -- one of 300 ancient oaks growing in Chatelherault Country Park, on what were once the hunting grounds of the Duke of Hamilton -- was named second runner-up. The tree is one of several in the park which are remnants of what is probably the oldest surviving oak woodland in Scotland.

Planted nearly seven centuries ago, when Robert the Bruce was still alive and hunting deer nearby, they are considered a national treasure through their status as part of the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve.

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It suffered damage from a fire set in its hollow a couple of years ago but survived. The Cadzow oakwoods provided much inspiration to the Cadzow Artists, a school of landscape painters including Horatio McCulloch and Samuel Bough.

Both will receive £500 Care Awards thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

George Anderson of the Woodland Trust Scotland, said: "This competition raises the profile of so many interesting trees. Every year it turns up some we did not know about before, alongside longstanding heritage trees."

Congratulating the winning entry, he added: "It’s a stunning tree in a breathtaking landscape."  Trees of the Year have also been chosen in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.