Poland's Heart of the Garden is 'Tree of the Year'
The Polish tree Common Beech, affectionately known as the Heart of the Garden, has been bestowed with the prestigious title of European Tree of the Year 2024. This magnificent tree, nestled in Niemcza's Arboretum Wojslawice, Botanical Garden of the University of Wroclaw in Lower Silesia, Poland, clinched first place with an impressive tally of 39,158 votes. Nominated by Tomasz Dymny from Arboretum Wojslawice, this monumental tree stands as a beacon of nature's enduring beauty and resilience.
Delving into the splendor of the 'Heart of the Garden'
The "Heart of the Garden" is a venerable 200-year-old Common Beech that boasts an unusually thick and uniquely shaped trunk, expansive branches, and leaves that radiate a stunning purple hue under sunlight. This majestic tree holds court in the heart of an ancient park in Niemcza's Arboretum Wojslawice. Its grandeur not only commands attention within its arboreal surroundings but also serves as a living testament to the park's tumultuous history.
The enduring legacy of the 'Heart of the Garden'
The "Heart of the Garden" remains a popular rendezvous point for nature lovers today, just as it was centuries ago. Its expansive crown casts a soothing shade for those who come to marvel at its beauty and history. This historic tree has not only weathered time but also symbolizes unity among those who cherish nature's magnificence.
Meet the other contenders for 'European Tree of the Year'
The race for "European Tree of the Year 2024" saw an array of extraordinary trees vying for top honors. The Weeping Beech of Bayeux from France clinched second place with 24,807 votes, followed by Italy's Thousand-year-old Olive Tree of Luras with 13,933 votes. Other contenders hailed from the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Belgium, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine, Slovakia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, and Portugal. Each tree stood as a unique testament to nature's enduring majesty.
Why the contest?
Every year in February, the Environmental Partnership Association (EPA) hosts the annual online voting for the "European Tree of the Year." It was influenced by the well-known "Tree of the Year" competition in Czech Republic. The inaugural European vote was conducted in 2011. Since then, the event has expanded from five to 16 participating countries. The idea is to make people aware and work unitedly to preserve the trees and nature in their country.