The European Tree of the Year award has celebrated the most beautiful trees with the most interesting stories from across Europe since 2011. Through this award, people are encouraged to appreciate and connect with nature. This is especially important in today's world, where there is so much conflict and negativity. Trees, on the other hand, are universally admired and uncontroversial. One of the finalists in this year's competition is 'The Heart of the Garden' beech tree from Wroclaw. Voting for the award ends at 4 pm on 22 February.

The current poll results are not publicly available, but as of 14 February, Poland's entry 'The Heart of the Garden' was leading with nearly 22,000 votes. To ensure its success, consider voting for it on the award’s website. However, keep in mind that you'll need to confirm your vote through your email address.

In order to participate in the European tree competition, each country organises a national contest. These contests are usually conducted by non-governmental organisations. The process involves citizens voting for their favourite tree or a committee selecting a tree. Once the national contest ends, each country submits one tree to the European competition. The winner is then selected through an online voting process. This year, a total of 15 countries participated in the competition.

‘The Heart of the Garden’ red beech is located at the very centre of the University of Wroclaw’s botanical garden. This magnificent tree has an abnormally thick trunk and is believed to be around 200 years old. The beech was nominated for the European competition after a nationwide preselection event organised by the Gaia Club in 2023.

Each tree competing in the European Tree of the Year competition has a fascinating history. Some have withstood the test of time, like the ancient olive trees that have been around for thousands of years. Others have a special significance to their communities. This year, the final round of the competition may be between two beech trees. ‘The Weeping Beech of Bayeux’, located in French Normandy, was in second place on 14 February but still has a chance to win. This 160-year-old tree has a canopy spanning 40 meters and requires an artificial support structure to remain upright. It is truly worth the effort to preserve its beauty.

Organised by the European Partnership Association (EPA), the contest is supported by six foundations from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. The EPA aims to promote social projects that protect the environment and support local communities and society. The competition winner will be announced on March 20th at an official ceremony at the European Parliament's headquarters in Brussels.

Source: euronews.com