In the heart of rural Lithuania, among the fields and silences of the small village of Rukai, grows a tree that has today become a European symbol. The Laukiai Oak, an approximately 400-year-old specimen, has in fact won the title of European Tree of the Year 2026, imposing itself in one of the most attended and hotly contested editions of the continental competition dedicated to the most beloved trees in Europe.
This is not just a botanical competition. Behind this victory there is a story of collective memory, belonging and cultural rebirth. Until recently the oak was almost forgotten, known only to the inhabitants of the area. Then something changed: the local community decided to recover the area around the large tree, organizing events, celebrations and initiatives capable of transforming it into an identity reference point.
A very close race with over 200 thousand participants
The 2026 edition of the award recorded impressive numbers. The official website of the contest has exceeded 1.5 million visits, while more than 200 thousand people from all over Europe took part in the vote.
This year the regulation was modified with the introduction of the new “Tree Points” system, created to make the competition more balanced and avoid imbalances due to large national voter pools. A choice that made the ranking uncertain until the final moments.
Behind the Lithuanian oak were the suggestive Slovakian wild apple tree, over 150 years old, and the iconic Polish leaning elm, famous for its trunk bent over the water like a natural sculpture.
A tree that has become a symbol of community and resistance
The Laukiai Oak did not conquer Europe only for its grandeur. What is most striking is the human and symbolic value it represents. Entire generations have intertwined around its branches: today it is the sixth generation of the Laukiai family to grow next to this green giant.
During autumn, its golden foliage transforms the landscape into a spectacular setting. But above all it is his ability to unite people that has made the difference. Concerts, traditional costumes, public meetings and popular celebrations have brought life back to a place that risked being forgotten.
Europe rediscovering its monumental trees
Over the years, the European Tree of the Year award has become much more than a simple environmental competition. It is a way to tell the profound connection between people and nature, enhancing trees that preserve stories, local identities and historical memory. In an era dominated by speed and continuous transformation, the Laukiai Oak has become the perfect symbol of something that resists time: deep roots, community and shared memory.
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