Impassioned efforts to save a Scots pine that stands as a memorial to two brothers who died in a tragic road accident have taken a major blow.
Campaigners including staff and pupils have been fighting to preserve the ancient tree in the grounds of Perth Academy.
The tree is shown on the very first Ordnance Survey map, created in 1866, but has more recently become a memorial to brothers Callum and Ethan Owen.
The youngsters died alongside their mother Michelle in the Highlands in 2009 and the pine has since taken on a special significance to those at the school.
Its future has, however, hung in the balance since Perth and Kinross Council announced plans to fell the tree to make way for a new sports pitch.
The council has now cast further doubt on its continued existence by refusing an application to have it protected by a Tree Preservation Order. The fate of the tree is now likely to be decided when councillors meet on August 21.
Elected members had been due to make a decision on the tree at a meeting last month, only to defer their ruling after calling for further evidence on the value of tree.
At the meeting, teachers also spoke out to call upon the council to consider alternative locations for the synthetic pitch, while S3 pupils Iona Campbell and Jessica Amery organised a 500-name petition.
Woodland Trust Scotland also attended, commenting that, were the tree a building, it would be “grade A listed”, and describing it as “a historic artefact that should be preserved”.
In the wake of the preservation order blow, the charity has pledged to help save the Perth Academy pine.
The organisation’s Andrew Fairbairn said: “The council’s refusal of the protection order doesn’t appear to hold water.
“Their guidance highlights criteria, such as such as size, age and historic significance, that we believe the tree passes with flying colours.
“They seem to be arguing that, because there are other similar trees in the area, it has no value, but anyone who has seen it will know it stands alone in the middle of the school grounds and it has a distinctive character that should be recognised.
“Ancient trees support hundreds of species of lichens and invertebrates and, most importantly for the school community, this tree marks the tragic death of two young brothers.
Mr Fairbairn added: “The tree is easily equivalent to a listed building and should be given the same level of protection.”
“We don’t dispute that Perth Academy should have the best sports facilities available to its pupils but, as it stands, people are left with a straight choice between the pine and the pitch.
“We believe that a compromise is possible if the planning application is refused at the next meeting.”