Lithuania's 400-Year-Old Laukiai Oak Crowned Europe's Tree of the Year

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Lithuania's 400-Year-Old Laukiai Oak Crowned Europe's Tree of the Year

Drawing of two common European oak leaves and acorns on a branch, with the text "Common European Oak" below.
Alex Duffy
Alex Duffy
2 Min.

Lithuania's 400-Year-Old Laukiai Oak Crowned Europe's Tree of the Year

A 400-year-old oak from Lithuania has won Europe's Tree of the Year competition. The Laukiai Oak beat 12 other trees, including a wild apple tree from Slovakia and a uniquely bent elm from Poland. This year's contest introduced a points-based voting system instead of direct public votes. The winning Laukiai Oak grew quietly in its village for centuries. Locals only recently brought it wider attention by revitalising the surrounding area and hosting a celebration in its honour. The tree's age and resilience earned it the top spot in the 2024 competition.

A wild apple tree from the Slovakian village of Diel claimed second place. Despite enduring over 150 years of harsh weather, the tree remains a symbol of endurance for the community. Poland's 'Crooked Tree', a strangely bent elm, secured third place. The tree stands on an island beside the moat of a ruined castle in Szysłowiec. Other entries included a 75-year-old cedar from Runa in Portugal's Torres Vedras municipality. The Environmental Partnership Association (EPA), a Central and Eastern European environmental group, has organised the contest annually since 2011. The initiative highlights trees with remarkable stories and aims to strengthen connections between nature and local communities.

The Laukiai Oak now holds the title of Europe's Tree of the Year. The competition's new points-based system selected it ahead of Slovakia's apple tree and Poland's 'Crooked Tree'. The EPA continues to promote the cultural and ecological importance of trees through the annual event.