We prove that the regularity of binomial edge ideals of graphs obtained by gluing two graphs at a free vertex is the sum of the regularity of individual graphs. As a consequence, we generalize certain results of Zafar and Zahid (Electron J Comb 20(4), 2013). We obtain an improved lower bound for the regularity of trees. Further, we characterize trees which attain the lower bound. We prove an upper bound for the regularity of certain subclass of block-graphs. As a consequence, we obtain sharp upper and lower bounds for a class of trees called lobsters. © 2019, Indian Academy of Sciences.