The mulberry at the Skradinski buk waterfall is the Croatian Tree of the Year for 2023

The mulberry at the Skradinski buk waterfall is the Croatian Tree of the Year for 2023
The Green Lady of the Krka National Park will be nominated for the prestigious award of the European Tree of the Year 2024.

Croatia proudly announced the winner of the Croatian Tree of the Year 2023 competition – an impressive mulberry tree at Skradinski buk waterfall, whose story, The Green Lady of the Krka National Park, won the hearts and support of 653 voters. The competition was organized by the Public Institute for the Management of Protected Areas of Nature of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, and along with the mulberry from Skradinski buk, the competition, in which we were honored to participate, included the Sister from Mikluševac, a black poplar from  Vukovar-Srijem County.

The Public Institute for the Management of Protected Areas of Nature in Dubrovnik-Neretva County, on behalf of the Republic of Croatia, will proudly nominate the mulberry at the Skradinsk buk waterfall for the European Tree of the Year 2024, the winner of which will be announced after the competition to be held in February and March next year. This initiative brings together the most beautiful and significant trees from all over Europe, thus promoting the preservation of nature and biological diversity. It is expected that the Croatian tree will be a worthy representative of our beautiful landscape and natural heritage on the European stage.

"We are very honored that we had the opportunity to have the Green Lady of the Krka National Park, a beautiful mulberry tree at Skradinski buk waterfall, be declared the Croatian Tree of the Year in 2023. This exceptional mulberry tree has become not only a symbol of our Park, but also of the dedicated effort to preserve nature and its priceless features. This victory is the result of the cooperation, effort, and passion of all those who recognize the importance of preserving natural resources. We want to express our deep gratitude to all the voters who supported our Green Lady and joined our effort to preserve nature", said the director of the Krka National Park, Nella Slavica, and added: "The nomination of our mulberry for the prestigious European Tree of the Year 2024 gives us the opportunity to share the story of this beautiful mulberry and promote the importance of nature conservation not only in Croatia, but throughout Europe. This mulberry tree represents the richness and beauty of our landscape, so we are proud that it was chosen as a representative of our country on the European stage. This competition not only highlights the aesthetic value of trees, but also their deep connections with local communities and people. Trees are witnesses of time, guardians of history, and important factors in the preservation of biodiversity. Through the Croatian Tree of the Year competition and the nomination for the European Tree of the Year, we also promote awareness of their importance."

 The Croatian Tree of the Year competition aims to highlight the importance old trees play in the natural and cultural heritage, which in particular makes them deserve our care and protection. At the center of this is not only the beauty, size, or age of a particular tree, but also its story and its connection with the local community and people. Therefore, with such a competition, local communities, as well as the general public, are encouraged to become involved in the protection and preservation of natural features. Thanks to such competitions, trees are promoted as an important element in the protection and preservation of natural features and biodiversity in general, which is extremely important for human life in general and the very survival of mankind.