Could this be Slovakia's tree of the year? (source: TASR)
THIS YEAR marks the ninth year of the Ekopolis Foundation’s Tree of the Year poll, in which the country picks its top tree, one which later competes with winners from other countries.
From among 91 contestants nominated before the May deadline, twelve trees have made it to the national finals, including the biggest chestnut tree in Slovakia, from Častá (Bratislava Region), which is 500 years old, making it one of the oldest participants; and a small-leaf lime from Kameničany (Trenčín Region), the top of which resembles a heart.
“A pedunculate oak from Podlužany (Trenčín Region), which is 400 years old and known as Rákóczi’s Oak, is also competing for the title Tree of 2011, as well as a wild-cherry tree from Bratislava Castle hill, a lime tree from Kameničany and several exotic trees,” Milan Hronec of Nadácia Ekopolis told the SITA newswire. He added that limes were the most frequently nominated species and that, counted together, the aggregate age of the finalists is about 3,670 years.
People can view data on the trees on www.ekopolis.sk and then vote for one tree until the end of September.
