250-year-old Croatian oak up for European Tree of the Year title – voting open
- by croatiaweek
- in News
A 250-year-old giant common oak tree inn Croatia is a finalist in the European Tree of the Year 2023 contest.
The tree, located near the north-western town of Ogulin, won the Croatian Tree of the Year title and earned therefore earned the right to compete in the European competition.
The tree is one of a number of oaks that have been growing for over 250 years in the karst Drežnica field, which is 440 metres above sea level.
The oak from Drežnica field (Photo credit: Ivona Grgurinović)
“The 440 m altitude makes this forest special: in spring or fall, as if by magic the field becomes a lake and only the tips of the highest oaks, such as this one, remain visible. Thanks to its endemic species, the Drežnica field is part of Natura 2000 but the planned retention (under litigation) means longer cycles of flooding and danger for this tree, the forest and the whole ecosystem,” is how the tree, nominated originally by local forestkeeper, Goran Tomić, hoping that this would raise awareness of it and help preserve it is described on the competition website.
The oak from Drežnica field (Photo credit: Ivona Grgurinović)
Other finalists come from all over Europe, some among them include a dragon oak in Slovakia, a giant ficus in Italy, a oak fabrykant in Poland, and a bridge plane in Hungary.
Voting to find the European Tree of the Year 2023 opened on February 1st and runs to February 28th.
More details about voting and how to vote can be found here.
