The Three of the Year competition has been organised in the Czech Republic for quite a while by the Czech Environmental Partnership Foundation. Since 2011, an extension of this yearly award has been launched with The European Tree of the Year competition. 

The winner of the 2022 prize will be selected from a list of 16 trees from all across the continent, which already won at the national level. Poland is represented by the Dunin oak from Przybudki and is known as the “Guardian of the Białowieża Forest”. 

The Polish coordinator of the competition, Klub Gaja, encourages Poles to vote for the 400-year-old oak online. This can be done under this link until the end of February. 

“This 400-year-old natural monument is one of the most famous forest giants – a symbol of strength and power. For years, it has delighted with its beauty and is an inspiration for many artists and social activists, explained Jacek Bożek, Klub Gaja’s president.

“Tourists from Poland and abroad come here to see it and take a commemorative photo with it,” he added. 

Last year, the Dunin oak gathered over 7,500 votes in order to be elected Polish Tree of the Year, organised by Klub Gaja. This year, the famous tree has already gathered nearly 24,000 votes. You can cast your own vote here. Voting takes place from 1 to 28 February 2022. The results will be announced at the Award Ceremony on the 22nd of March.

Cover photo: treeoftheyear.org

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen