Exceptional Achievement for Our Dragon Oak! Slovak Finalist Earns Second Place in Prestigious Tree of the Year Competition

The majestic Dragon Oak from Lozorno, representing Slovakia in the European Tree of the Year competition, earned over 18,000 votes, securing a spot on the podium with a silver medal. The Fabrykant Oak from Poland claimed first place, while a Ukrainian apple tree took third. A total of 177,486 tree lovers across Europe participated in the voting. The results were announced in Brussels on Tuesday, March 21, symbolically on the International Day of Forests.

“The Dragon Oak is the first finalist from Slovakia to achieve such success. The key to this accomplishment was undoubtedly the engagement of active individuals, the community surrounding the tree, and a strong campaign that ran throughout the voting period. The tree received significant media attention, was visited by President Zuzana Čaputová, and, most importantly, won the hearts of people not only in Slovakia but across Europe with its story of resilience,” said Martina Hromadová from the Ekopolis Foundation, which organizes the Tree of the Year contest in Slovakia.

“I increasingly admire the European Tree of the Year competition, not only for the remarkable trees and their impressive histories but also for the broader ecological context it brings. While timber harvesting near a tree can pose a threat, it can also be a salvation, providing necessary light for its majestic crown. Through these tree stories, we gain a better understanding of what is happening in our country, what threatens trees, what benefits them, and how to find effective solutions to support trees and the life they sustain. Fostering a positive relationship with trees and their protection helps us find ways to live in harmony with our living planet,” said Michal Wiezik, Member of the European Parliament and patron of the European Tree of the Year competition.

This year’s winners were again announced in Brussels, on the symbolic International Day of Forests. The ceremony took place at the European Parliament with the attendance of distinguished guests. The entire event was streamed and is available for replay on the YouTube channel of the Environmental Partnership Association.

The competition is organized by the Environmental Partnership Association and the European Landowners’ Organization under the patronage of Members of the European Parliament, Luděk Niedermayer and Michal Wiezik.

Story of the Winning Fabrykant Oak from Poland

Species: English Oak (Quercus robur L.)

Age: 180 years

Region: Łódź, Łódź Voivodeship, Poland

 

The King of Oaks in a Sea of Flowers
The oak is one of Poland’s native trees and symbolizes longevity and wisdom. Its unique shape attracts visitors to Klepacz Park in Łódź, Poland’s third-largest city. One branch forms an S-shape and spans more than 20 meters, while its crown’s canopy reaches an impressive 33 meters. In spring, sapphire meadows filled with Siberian squill and bluebell flowers surround the oak, enhancing the view of this noble tree.

European Tree of the Year 2023 – Final Rankings

Rank	Name	Country	Number of Votes
1	Fabrykant Oak	Poland	45,718
2	Dragon Oak	Slovakia	18,198
3	Apple Tree from Krolevets	Ukraine	14,219
4	Giant Fig Tree of Palermo	Italy	10,663
5	Eucalyptus from Contige	Portugal	10,281
6	Spanish Oak from San Roque	Spain	10,174
7	Yew from Waverly Abbey	United Kingdom	9,413
8	Weeping Beech of Cassel Hill	France	8,867
9	Marquis’ Oak	Netherlands	8,616
10	Bridge Over the Lake	Hungary	7,342
11	Pear Tree in Drásov	Czech Republic	6,664
12	Oak from Sēja	Latvia	6,005
13	Purple Beech from Reigi	Estonia	5,875
14	Western Plane Tree	Bulgaria	5,814
15	Brown Pear of Klerken	Belgium	4,823
16	Oak in Drežnica Field	Croatia	4,814
Total Votes:177,486

 

Download pictures of the trees

 

Media Contact:
Adam Holub, Brussels Representative: adam.holub@nap.cz; +420 777 053 722; +32 497 12 44 50

The Environmental Partnership Association (EPA) is a coalition of six foundations from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia that support environmental projects and engage local communities. Over more than 20 years, the EPA has supported these projects with grants totaling over EUR 10 million.

www.environmentalpartnership.org

The European Tree of the Year competition highlights the uniqueness and importance of trees as Europe’s natural and cultural heritage while underscoring their environmental value within the ecosystem. The contest doesn’t seek the most beautiful tree but rather a tree with a story deeply rooted in the lives and work of the people and community surrounding it. www.treeoftheyear.org