It Survived for 700 Years, Now It’s the Tree of the Year. The Winner of the 20th Annual Poll is the “Dragon Oak” from Lozorno!
In this year’s popular Tree of the Year poll, which celebrates its 20th anniversary, more than 26,000 people voted, resulting in twelve most-loved trees. The winning “Dragon Oak” from Lozorno earned the top spot with 5,916 votes from the public. In spring, it will represent Slovakia in the European Tree of the Year competition.
Close behind the winning oak, with 5,858 votes, was the Large-leaved Linden from Opiná. The third place was deservedly awarded to the Common Beech from Svrčinovec, which garnered 3,479 votes. Each of the winners will receive a professional assessment and treatment valued at 300 euros. The announcement took place on October 13, 2022, at the Slovenská sporiteľňa headquarters in Bratislava.
This year, the poll celebrates 20 years. During the summer, organizers from the Ekopolis Foundation hosted a conference on trees, with an exhibition of past winners held at the State Scientific Library in Banská Bystrica, alongside other traditional activities of the poll. “In September, we organized a competition for schools, with over fifty participating this year. Six of them were awarded at the official announcement — three for the highest number of submitted votes and three in a special category for additional student activities,” said Martina Hromadová, Communications Manager from the Ekopolis Foundation. Awarded schools received planting materials for their school gardens, worth up to 650 euros in total, along with educational gifts. The winning schools included ZŠ Májové námestie from Prešov, ZŠ Karpatská from Žilina, Spojená škola Novohradská from Bratislava, Stebník Kindergarten, Tomášov Elementary School, and Haburská Kindergarten from Prešov.
The Poll Isn’t Over Yet
“The poll still includes the treatment of trees, not just the winners. Thanks to our partnership with ISA Slovakia, each year we are able to treat trees that were nominated but didn’t reach the finals, yet still require significant attention,” added Hromadová. For the third time, the poll included a public tree-planting event: “This year, we planted Large-leaved lindens in the village of Veľký Biel. Alongside dedicated volunteers from Slovenská sporiteľňa, we planted up to 40 lindens along the bike path. We hope the trees will thrive, and that locals will ensure they receive proper care in the coming years so they can provide shade and other essential ecological benefits for the area,” concluded Hromadová.
The main partner of the poll is the Slovenská sporiteľňa Foundation. Additional support for Tree of the Year came from ISA Slovakia (International Arboricultural Society), Dajama Publishing, Artforum Bookstore, ABIES Nursery, and Terrabike. The patron of the poll for 11 years is the well-known singer Peter Lipa. Martin Babarík prepares photographs of the trees for the poll. The poll’s mission is to highlight old, rare, or endangered trees and to raise public interest in the environment.
Tree of the Year 2022 Results:
| Final Ranking | Finalist | Number of Votes | |
| 1 | 9. | English Oak | 5916 |
| 2 | 12. | Large-leaved Linden | 5858 |
| 3 | 7. | Common Beech | 3479 |
| 4 | 10. | Small-leaved Linden | 2555 |
| 5 | 4. | Western Plane | 1784 |
| 6 | 6. | Large-leaved Linden | 1501 |
| 7 | 1. | Common Pear | 1202 |
| 8 | 3. | Oak of Virgil | 992 |
| 9 | 11. | European Yew | 967 |
| 10 | 8. | Black Walnut | 749 |
| 11 | 5. | Wild Pear | 635 |
| 12 | 2. | Small-leaved Linden | 564 |
Stories of the Winning Trees:
1st Place: English Oak (Quercus robur)
Age of tree: 700 years, Trunk Circumference: 677 cm, Height: 18 m
Forest in the Lozorno area, Malacky District, Bratislava Region
Dragon Oak
The tree earned its name due to its grandeur and appearance, resembling a seated dragon. Its bark is rough and scarred, like the mythical battles of dragons, yet no one fears it. Instead, everyone feels safe in its presence. It stands on a small hill in the forest, having protected locals for centuries — from the first settlers who helped build the nearby Pajštún Castle, through merchants and immigrants from Croatia. It even witnessed the construction of a narrow-gauge steam forest railway, which it has since outlived. Logging is currently taking place nearby, but hopefully, the Dragon Oak can be preserved for future generations, so they too can experience the uniqueness of nature and a moment of time etched into a single tree trunk.
2nd Second Place: Large-leaved Linden (Tilia platophyllos)
Age of tree: 300 years, Trunk Circumference: 640 cm, Height: 25 m
Courtyard of the manor house in Opiná, Košice District, Košice Region
The Linden of Opiná
The linden was likely planted after the manor house was built, with 1589 noted in the local chronicle. It was part of the courtyard of the current manor house and another manor, now only visible as ruins. Both belonged to the Keczer family, with the Vécsey noble family owning it in the 18th century. The linden witnessed various social upheavals, such as the uprising of Stephen Bocskay and the early days of opal mining. The last owner of the manor by the linden, Countess Terezie Pallaviciny Denesy Vécsey, sold it to the Evangelical Church, wishing it not to be converted for agricultural use. She expressed a desire that her likeness remain in the manor as long as it stands. Her wish is respected to this day.
3rd Place: Common Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
Age of tree: 240 years, Trunk Circumference: 398 cm, Height: 17 m
Svrčinovec – Matiaškovci, Čadca District, Žilina Region
Guardian of the Village
In the village below the hill, there are many trees, but when someone says “our beech,” everyone knows which way to look. The tree stands alone on a small hill, silently watching over the village as if guarding it. “Since childhood, I have walked to this tree with my parents, later with my girlfriend. I proposed to her under its branches, and on our wedding day, we visited it too. Now we go there with our children, and I hope one day with our grandchildren too.”
Photos and stories of all finalists can be found at www.ekopolis.sk
Illustrative photos of winners and video nominations available for download: https://we.tl/t-6lyqdCcC69