Meet the man who cares for 'lonely' tree on Glasgow's Argyle Street

Glasgow Times

28-07-2025

David Treanor, an arborist and owner of Treewise Urban Forestry, has been responsible for the "Argyle Street Ash" outside the Franklin Terrace tenements for the last five years.
The Paisley native has nominated the 75-foot-tall attraction for the Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year, making the top 10 shortlist.
David Treanor, an arborist and owner of Treewise Urban Forestry pictured with the "Argyle Street Ash "tree outside the Franklin Terrace tenements on Argyle Street in the West End of Glasgow. (Image: Colin Mearns)
He explained what inspired him to put the tree forward.
David said: "Its location and striking form mean it nearly always leads press coverage with a kind of quiet defiance – standing in the heart of Argyle Street like it always has.
"I've looked after the tree for over five years in a professional capacity, carrying out safety inspections and remedial work.
"Over time, I noticed it was resisting ash dieback far better than most trees I've encountered.
"That led me to dig deeper – both scientifically and historically."
Also known as The Lone Tree of Finnieston, the tree was described in James Cowan's 1935 book From Glasgow's Treasure Chest as 'quite the most graceful ash I have seen.'
It was the first tree in Glasgow to receive a Tree Preservation Order and is regarded as a symbol of resilience locally, producing greenery and shade in an otherwise grey and urban part of the city.
Pat Lilly, and his daughter Louise, pictured in front of the tree (Image: Colin Mearns) Nine other trees from across the UK make up the list, including a sycamore growing at Napier University in Edinburgh, with the "Argyle Street Ash" being put forward by David as the wildcard pick.
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A picture of a tree from 1962 (Image: Newsquest) The other nine were selected by a panel of experts. David also opened up on the history of the tree.
He continued: "We know that the tree is estimated to be 170 years old meaning it has lived through a fifth of Glasgow's 850 year history
"It became clear that this tree has survived the Victorian era, survived Glasgow's 'Age of Smoke,' when coal soot darkened the air and buildings while Glasgow was the second city of the Empire.
"It survived the Clydeside Blitz and the 1968 storm when many tenements were destroyed.
"It has endured from Trams to Tesla's. In 1980 Glasgow District Council took the step to protect the tree under TPO No.1, Glasgow's very first Tree Preservation Order.
"It's been part of so many Glaswegians' everyday lives that people often tell me they can't imagine Argyle Street without it."
Locals also expressed their delight at the nomination, reflecting on memories of the tree.
One man said: "In the 1970s as a student I'd open my curtains to see the tree every morning and later in life it inspired me to plant more trees across the city."
Another said: "Me and my mates always admire the tree when having a few pints at the Park Bar."
A third commented: "My parents met under that tree."
Another local, Pat Lilly, remembers his grandparents renting the flat when he was a child.
Pat added: "I always remember the tree being in my Granny's front garden, and I played there from being a toddler with lots of my cousins.
"It's unbelievable that the tree has been selected to be in the running for Tree of the Year, 2025."
Voting for the competition opened on Friday, July 11, with the winner being decided in September 19, with the winner going on to represent the UK at the European Tree of the Year finals.
You can vote by clicking here.