These are the most beautiful European trees of 2024

BarcelonaThe reddish leaves of maples, the height of pines, and the chipped bark of ancient olive trees are some of the features that ultimately make trees unique. Even so, the sheer number of trees and aspects to be evaluated makes it difficult to single out a single tree as the most beautiful. But in 2011, the Environmental Partnership Association (EPA) launched an annual collaborative competition to find the most beautiful tree in Europe. After the voting period closed, the trees selected for their beauty and history were revealed this Wednesday.

Beyond appearance, the competition also aims to consider other aspects when ranking the plant world. For example, to nominate a tree for the competition, its age must be quantified, the species and coordinates identified, and the connection it has or has had with the surrounding community must also be justified. After more than twelve editions, sixteen countries are now participating in the European competition.

The most beautiful tree of 2024 is in Poland, specifically on Dalkowskie Hill. As explained in the description, people call it "the heart" because it is in the center of a park, because of the color of its leaves, and because it is the meeting point for different social gatherings. More than 147,000 people have chosen this large beech to rank it against dozens of trees from all over Europe. In second place is a 150-year-old ficus from the town of Santa Clara, Portugal, whose name refers to the story of an impossible love between King Pedro of Portugal and Agnès de Castro, as it is explained that their meetings took place in this forest. In third place is a 400-year-old pine tree located among small hills in the town of Abengibre, Albacete.

At this point no association has submitted any tree located in Catalonia to the competition, although we have monumental trees and groves, a classification that since 1987 has protected these plant elements as cultural heritage of Catalonia for their monumental, historical, or scientific value. The administration uses it to protect these trees in a special way—it also covers their maintenance, so that it is not an expense for the owner. Currently, there are more than 250 trees in Catalonia classified as monumental, in addition to those declared of local or regional interest.

Some of the trees that enjoy this recognition and protection are the Three-Branch Pine and the Can Codorniu Oak—the first two to receive the distinction of monumental—as well as the Ca n'Oriol Oak, the Old Pine of Arp, and the Lo Parot Olive Tree.