The oldest tree of Bátaszék (2016) by Město BátaszékEuropean Tree of the Year
This downy oak (Quercus pubescens) grows next to St. Orban’s Chapel, on a hill about 2 kilometres from the centre of the city of Bátaszék in southern part of Hungary. The tree is an important symbol of the history and a reminder of the forest that used to be here in the 18th Century.
Winning Tree
This beauty was awarded the title of "Tree of the Year" in Hungary in 2015 and was a participant in the European Tree of the Year competition in 2016, where it also won.
Two large oak trees can be found next to St. Orban's Chapel, but this is the older tree. Estimated to be 300-400 years old, making it the oldest tree in the city of Bátaszék. It boasts a height of 17.5 metres and the circumference of the trunk is 4.5 metres.
The tree and the chapel guard the settlement and its people who also found protection here during the flood of 1956. The local farmers have always looked after the tree: they cut the dry branches and painted the stump to protect it from diseases.
The hill on which the oak tree stands is also called "vineyard hill" because it is planted with grapes.
The oldest tree of Bátaszék (2016) by Město BátaszékEuropean Tree of the Year
It has become the custom of the Bátaszéks to go to the chapel and the old oak tree every year on 25 May and sprinkle the trunk of the tree generously with wine to ensure next year’s rich grape harvest.
The old oak also symbolizes the preservation of historical and human values in Bátaszék.
The oldest tree of Bátaszék (2016) by Město BátaszékEuropean Tree of the Year
St. Orbán's Chapel is an important spot. It was built by German settlers in 1754 in gratitude for surviving the plague that spread in the area at around 1738.
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Let's take a walk and explore around the magical area of the oldest tree of Bátaszék.
The Award Ceremony and the success of the oak tree from Bátaszék in the European Tree of the Year in 2016.
The oldest tree of Bátaszék
The tree won the competition European Tree of the Year 2016 with total number of 72 653 votes from its fans across all Europe and beyond. At the time, it was the third victory of the Hungarian tree in this competition, and later Hungary scored another victory, in 2019.
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GPS: N 46°10'12,4", E 18°42'01,0"
The tree was nominated to the European Tree of the Year 2016 by national organizator of the contest in Hungary - Hungarian Environmental Partnership Association.
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