Award would be fitting for tree

Scots parliamentarians and the public have been urged to help ensure David McCabe’s spruce is named Scotland’s Tree of the Year 2017.

The spruce started life in 1917 when it was sent by Lieutenant David McCabe from the battlefields of Passchendaele back to his father in Crieff.

He never returned to Crieff, dying from injuries sustained in war but his sapling was planted and has since grown fully in the 100 years since the battle.

The Tree of the Year competition is run by the Woodland Trust and members of the public can vote online for their favourite tree.

The winner will be named at an awards ceremony in the Scottish Parliament in December.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith believes the Crieff spruce would make a fitting winner in the year of the 100th anniversary of the battle.

She said: “There are a number of stunning contenders for the title but I believe the story of David McCabe’s spruce is difficult to beat.

“Crieff is uniquely connected to Passchendaele and has held a number of commemorative events to mark its 100th anniversary. Scooping the Tree of the Year title would top this off.

“It is remembered as one of the deadliest battles of the First World War but the story of Lt McCabe’s spruce demonstrates that hope and renewal can spring from the most harrowing of circumstances.”