Known as the “Heart of the Garden,” this majestic beech tree, located in the Arboretum Wojsławice, which is the botanical garden affiliated with the University of Wrocław,
secured its victory by receiving an impressive 39,158 votes, triumphing over 14 other contenders to claim the esteemed title of European Tree of the Year 2024.
“We seek trees with the most captivating histories,” explained the competition organizers.
The winner was determined by the votes of internet users, and the announcement was made during a
ceremony held on March 20 in Brussels. The second-place spot was claimed by the “Weeping Beech” from France, while the third place went to the “Olive Tree of a Thousand Years” from Italy.
The “Heart of the Garden” stands proudly in the Arboretum in Wojsławice, situated in Niemcza in the Lower Silesia Region, southwestern Poland.
Believed to have been planted at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries during the ownership of the von Prittwitz family.
In 2023, a beech tree from Lower Silesia emerged victorious in the Polish Tree of the Year competition, garnering 6,643 votes. This win served as a stepping stone for participation in this year’s European competition.
Polish candidates have previously clinched victory in the competition three times: in 2017 the oak Józef from Wiśniowa, southern Poland; two years ago the oak Dunin stood in the Białowieża Forest, northeastern Poland; and in the last edition, the oak Fabrykant from Łódź, central Poland.
The Environmental Partnership Association (EPA) in Brussels serves as the organizer of the European Tree of the Year competition.
