Poland's 'Guardian of the Białowieża Primeval Forest' oak tree has been announced as this year's European Tree of the Year during last night's ceremony which was streamed online, beating off tough competition from 15 other finalists.
The 'Guardian of the Białowieża Primeval Forest' is a 400 year old oak tree located at the edge of the lowland primeval forest. According to the competition, the tree is revered with both locals and tourists, who visit this region of Poland known as the European Region of Wisent.
Coming in at a very close second place is Spain's tree 'Oak of Conxo's Banquet Forest' with 168,284 votes, while Portugal's 'The Big Cork Oak' scoops the third spot with 70,563 votes.
The UK's entry, 'Kippford Leaning Tree', came in at sixth place with 30,761 votes. The striking Kippford leaning tree, which is based on the coast of Dumfries & Galloway is a mature hawthorn tree has been enjoyed by over three generations of a local family and is the only tree standing on the cockle shell beach.
Organised by the Environmental Partnership Association and the European Landowners’ Organisation, the European Tree of the Year award is a celebration of the cultural and natural heritage of trees and their impact on the local community.