A SPRUCE tree on the Hebridean island of Eriskay has been voted Scotland’s Tree of the Year and will now compete to become the UK’s contender for European Tree of the Year.
Netty’s Tree was nominated in the Woodland Trust competition by Eoina Wilson, who used to live on the island. Judges picked six finalists from public nominations earlier in the year, which were then put to an online vote.
The tree was planted more than 100 years ago by priest, poet and land rights activist Father Allan McDonald and, until recently, was the only tree on the windy island.
It was named after Netty MacDonald, who lived on the nearby croft and encouraged children to play on the tree as their cries and laughter reminded her of her own family, who had grown up and moved away. She died in 2010 but her daughter, Anne MacIntyre, is back on the croft and continues the tradition.
George Anderson of Woodland Trust Scotland said: “Having a tree to climb as a child seems like something many of us take for granted.
“When there is only one tree where you live that connection becomes quite special. Imagine the generations of youngsters with memories of this tree. It is a very worthy winner. Now let’s get Netty’s Tree through to Europe.”
The tree, along with the other UK winners, will receive a £1000 care award from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, which can go towards maintaining the health of the tree.
The Woodland Trust’s Tree of the Year competition, now in its fifth year, aims to showcase the UK’s best trees to build interest in and protect them. The charity is now asking the UK public to narrow down the four UK nation winners to just one.
Sanjay Singh, senior programmes manager with People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “The competition has turned up some fascinating trees with terrific stories. I am delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery have supported this celebration of the nation’s best loved trees.”
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