Skipinnish Oak Wins UK's Tree of the Year

The ancient oak, named after a Scottish ceilidh band, was discovered in the Highlands and will now compete in the European contest.

The Skipinnish Oak, believed to be over 400 years old, was found in a Sitka spruce plantation in Lochaber, Scotland.
The oak was unknown to experts until the band Skipinnish directed conservationists to its location during a nearby event.
It won 21% of the public vote, narrowly beating the Darwin Oak, and will represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year contest.
The tree hosts rare lichens, including the black-eyed Susan, and is considered a remnant of the native Scottish ecosystem.
The Woodland Trust highlights the importance of ancient oaks, which can support 2,300 species and live for over 1,500 years.