Since airing it has received a mixed response from critics in comparison with the other James adaptations produced in the series' original run, with even Clark regarding it as a disappointment.

However, Sir Richard is disturbed by the strange infantile noises coming from an ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior) outside his bedroom window and he is haunted by visions of his relative's role in a witchcraft trial of 1690.

Rudkin also changed the relationship between Sir Richard inheriting Castringham Hall from his father and grandfather to his childless uncle and great-uncle in order to be able to introduce the character of Lady Augusta (Lalla Ward in a pre-Doctor Who role).

[7][8] All three releases featured an essay on "The Ash Tree" by television consultant Dick Fiddy and a filmed introduction by Lawrence Gordon Clark.

In 2023 it was remastered in 2k resolution by th.e BFI and released on Blu-ray alongside "The Treasure of Abbot Thomas", "The Signalman" (1976), "Stigma" (1977), "The Ice House"' (1978), "A View from a Hill" (2005), and "Number 13" (2006) as Ghost Stories for Christmas - Volume 2.