An ancient oak, named after the ceilidh band Skipinnish, has emerged victorious in the UK’s Tree of the Year competition and is set to compete in the European edition.
Located in Lochaber, Scotland, the Skipinnish Oak was discovered serendipitously by band members during a gig for the Native Woodland Discussion Group, held near the tree’s site.
Nestled within a Sitka spruce timber plantation, the Skipinnish Oak stands as one of the largest of its kind in the region, which is largely dominated by non-native timber forests.
This remarkable tree is a remnant of the ancient ecosystem and serves as a habitat for various lichens, including the rare black-eyed Susan.
The band Skipinnish expressed their delight at the tree’s recognition and plans to compose a new song in its honor.
The Skipinnish Oak supports diverse wildlife, showcasing Scotland’s unique ecological legacy and biodiversity.The Woodland Trust, which organizes the competition, highlighted 12 ancient oaks this year to emphasize their ecological significance.
Ancient oaks can live for over 1,500 years and support an impressive 2,300 species of wildlife. Notably, the UK is home to more ancient oaks than the rest of Western Europe combined.
The Skipinnish Oak secured 21% of the votes, narrowly beating the Darwin Oak in Shrewsbury, which garnered 20%.
The Bowthorpe Oak in Lincolnshire, aged 1,000 years, claimed third place with 14%. Other notable entries included the Queen Elizabeth Oak in West Sussex and the uniquely shaped Elephant Oak in the New Forest.
Dr. Kate Lewthwaite from the Woodland Trust stated, “The Skipinnish Oak is a magnificent example of the natural heritage we strive to protect.
Its recognition as UK Tree of the Year highlights the incredible biodiversity that our trees support. We encourage everyone to celebrate and preserve these vital features of our environment.”
The next European Tree of the Year competition will take place in 2025.