Standing tall and proud on the moors overlooking of Burnley, is the enigmatic Singing Ringing Tree.

Aptly named for its eerie, melodious hum that fills the air, this three-metre-tall wind-powered sculpture has captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike since its completion in 2006.

Designed by the acclaimed architects Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu, the Singing Ringing Tree is not merely a static structure; it is a living, breathing entity, harnessing the power of the wind to create a hauntingly beautiful symphony.

Composed of galvanized steel pipes meticulously arranged to resemble the form of a tree bending and swaying in the breeze, the sculpture stands as a testament to human creativity and the enduring power of nature.

Lancashire Telegraph: Singing Ringing Tree

But what sets the Singing Ringing Tree apart from other works of art is not just its striking appearance, but the ethereal sounds it produces, created by tuning the pipes according to their length by adding holes to the underside of each.

As the wind whistles through its pipes, it creates a choral melody that spans several octaves, simultaneously discordant and melancholy, yet undeniably captivating. Like a giant wind harp, its melody changes with the weather, offering a new experience with each visit.

The unique blend of harmonies has earned the sculpture a reputation as one of the world's weirdest and creepiest musical instruments, reminiscent of something out of a fairy tale or a horror movie.

The Singing Ringing Tree has become not just a landmark but a cultural icon, inspiring artists and musicians alike. From local choirs performing beneath its steel branches to award-winning composers incorporating its sound into their work, it has sparked creativity and imagination in all who encounter it.

The origins of the Singing Ringing Tree lie in the ambitious Panopticons project, spearheaded by the East Lancashire Environmental Arts Network (ELEAN).

Lancashire Telegraph:

Conceived as a series of 21st-century landmarks to symbolize the renaissance of the region, the project sought to marry art with nature, creating structures that would both enhance the landscape and provoke thought and emotion.

For all its otherworldly charm, the Singing Ringing Tree is deeply rooted in the history and culture of the region. Its location, once home to a crumbling old transmission station, serves as a reminder of the area's industrial past, repurposed and transformed into something altogether more magical.

Indeed, the Singing Ringing Tree is more than just a sculpture; it is a symbol of resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of nature to inspire and captivate us. As visitors stand beneath its towering steel pipes, surrounded by the haunting melodies of the wind, they cannot help but be drawn into its enchanting embrace.

But what of its name?

As readers of a certain age will know, The Singing Ringing Tree was an unsettling East German television service shown by the BBC in the early 1970s.

It featured a princess, a human/bear hybrid, a terrifying dwarf and a giant metallic fish. The sounds the sculpture makes are a fitting soundtrack to the feelings that the disturbing series provoked.

In a world filled with noise and chaos, the Singing Ringing Tree affords a moment of introspection, reflection and peace – especially if you happen to be the only one there.

And as long as the wind continues to blow, its haunting and inspiring melodies will echo across the landscape.

The Singing Ringing Tree car park is at Crown Point Rd, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 3RL.