Other events in Baltic States

An oak tree growing in the middle of a football field in the town of Orissaare, Saaremaa Island, Estonia, was chosen as this year’s European Tree of the Year 2015, LETA/Public Broadcasting reports.

During the month of February 2015, nearly 200,000 people participated in choosing the European Tree of the Year, reported the website treeoftheyear.org.

The Estonian tree got the first place with nearly 60,000 votes. The great plane of Tata in Hungary came second and poplar pollard of the Remolinar in Spain came third.

The main peculiarity of the Orissaare oak tree is its unique location, since the 150-years-old tree is located in the middle of a football field since 1951. Before 1951 there was a small sporting area beside the oak tree, and when it was expanded the tree ended up in the middle of the stadium. Students know how to use the tree to complete passes, and it offers shade to the players.

Orissaare oak three was submitted to the contest by NGO Chamber of Arborists, whose chairman Heiki Hanso held a support walk of 166 km from Tallinn to Orissaare by foot in support of the tree being elected on February 25-28.

The award ceremony of European Tree of the Year takes place in Brussels on 22 April.

The purpose of the European Tree of the Year contest is to highlight the significance of old trees in the natural and cultural heritage that deserves care and protection. Unlike other contests, the European Tree of the Year doesn't focus on beauty, size or age but rather on the tree's story and its connection to people, the organisers say. They are looking for trees that have become a part of the wider community.