A champion tree at Logan Botanic Garden, near Stranraer, has come second in Scotland’s Tree of the Year contest organised by the Woodland Trust.

The Polylepis australis or Filo Pastry Tree, so named by a visiting Stranraer Academy pupil because it reminded him of a spring roll he had eaten the previous evening, received 857 votes in the online competition.

The winner with 1050 votes was Netty’s Tree, a spruce that was the only tree on the windswept island of Eriskay. The tree planted more than 100 years ago was named after a crofter, the late Netty MacDonald who encouraged children to play on it.

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

The winners from Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland were announced during the BBC One Show on Wednesday, 17 October.

After hearing the news that the Logan tree had come second among the six Scottish finalists, Garden Curator Richard Baines said: “I knew that the Filo Pastry Tree was up against stiff competition. It would have been wonderful if the tree had been voted as Scotland’s Tree of the Year, but to have come second is a real achievement. Native to Argentina, this is the largest of its species in the UK. Its amazing peeling bark makes it a talking point among visitors who see it as one of their favourites in the Garden.’’

He added: “I am grateful so many people took the time to vote for the Filo Pastry Tree. Competitions such as Tree of the Year make the public aware of the importance of plants and the wonder of what is growing around them. As part of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Logan has a commitment to encouraging public engagement with the environment so it makes perfect sense for us to be involved with the competitions like this.’’

George Anderson of the Woodland Trust commented: “What a fantastic effort by supporters of the Filo Pastry Tree. We hope folks aren’t too disappointed and enjoyed taking part in the competition. Win or lose all the trees taking part now have a higher profile and have made more friends to value them in the future.’’

The Flodden Tree at Coldstream in the Borders came third with 741 votes, the Camperdown Elm in Dundee was fourth with 332 votes and in fourth and fifth place respectively were the Malloch Oak at Strathallan, Perthshire with 241 votes and Napolean’s Tree in Ecclefechan Dumfriesshire which got 143 votes.

The Woodland Trust is now asking the public to whittle the four UK winners down to one tree which will represent the UK in February’s European Tree of the Year competition, run by the Environmental Partnership Association.

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For further information or images contact Sandra Donnelly on 0131 248 1037/07554115908 or Shauna Hay on 0131 248 2900/07824529028