Krka NP's very own mulberry tree has joined the European Tree of the Year 2024 competition. Give the tree your vote and let's win!

As Croatia’s Tree of the Year, this Green Lady from Krka National Park is one of the 15 finalist in the competition to choose Europe’s most loveliest and significant tree

Starting today, 1 February 2024 and until 22 February 2024, you can give your voice for the mulberry tree from Krka National Park. All you need to do is click on this link and select your two favourite candidates. The mulberry tree in Krka National Park is listed as number 7, the same number of waterfalls on the Krka River, which we hope is a happy coincidence.

“We are proud that our mulberry tree in Krka National Park is representing Croatia in this important European competition, that highlights not only the tree’s aesthetic value, but also its deep connection with the local community. Trees are guardians of history and biodiversity, and this competition raises awareness of their importance,” said the director of the Public Institute of Krka National Park. She added, “We invite all Croatian residents and our nature lovers to cast their vote in support of our mulberry tree, and together we can show just how proud we are of our natural values and the rich cultural heritage of our nation.”

To lend your voice to the mulberry tree from the Krka National Park and thus support the Republic of Croatia in the European Tree of the Year 2024 competition and contribute to the promotion of our natural heritage, it is necessary:

• Access the website: https://www.treeoftheyear.org/vote
• Select two candidates and cast your vote
• To confirm your selection of candidates, enter your e-mail address
• Your vote will be official only after you confirm your e-mail address at the link sent to your e-mail.

The competition for the European Tree of the Year seeks out the tree with the most interesting story. Trees, deeply rooted and widely branching, are witness of times past and our best storytellers. The mulberry of Krka National Park tells of the silken past and sweet present of this region. The fruit of the mulberry is tasty and medicinal, and the leaves are food for the silkworms from which silk is extracted. This region was once the largest breeding ground for silkworms in Dalmatia. This timeless Green Lady, some 400 years old, is a part of our tradition and a recognisable landmark in the landscape, and a dignified representatives on the European green stage.

The competition website cites Richard Mabey, who says “To be without trees would, in the most literal way, to be without our roots.” Let this be an inspiration and a reminder to give our vote for the tree of our Croatian roots, from our shared national park, which will fill us with national pride, and then continue to give shade and shelters for the generations to come.

Online voting for the European Tree of the Year is organised each year in February by the European Partnership Association (EPA). The first voting was held in 2011, and since then, the number of participating countries has increased from five to sixteen.

The competition for Europe’s Tree of the Year was inspired by a popular competition for Tree of the Year that has long been organised in Czech Republic. The European competition is the finale that includes the winners of each of the national competitions. In Croatia, the national competition is organised by the Public Institute for the Management of Protected Natural Values of Dubrovnik-Neretva County.