More than 150 years old, this has just won Croatia’s Tree of the Year title

A white mulberry tree in Adamovec, north of Sesvete near Zagreb, has been named Croatia’s Tree of the Year 2026, winning public support with its connection to local history, poetry and cultural heritage.

Known as Domjanićeva murva (Domjanić’s Mulberry), the tree received 51,968 votes in the national competition, organised by the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas of Dubrovnik-Neretva County.

More than 150 years old, the tree is closely associated with Croatian poet Dragutin Domjanić, who was born in Adamovec 150 years ago. The mulberry has been immortalised in his poetry and stands in a park featuring a bust of the writer.

Its branches also provide a setting for the annual Domjanić Nights and the poetry festival Pod murvu na Krče, which brings together Kajkavian poets from across Croatia to celebrate regional poetry, language and cultural heritage.

The competition attracted 92,702 votes in total, with four trees shortlisted for the 2026 title.

The hybrid plane tree known as Platana koja spaja (The Plane Tree That Connects), located in Rijeka, finished second with 32,673 votes.

The Česmina Račišće, a holm oak in Račišće on the island of Korčula, came third with 7,586 votes, while the Maslina želja (Olive of Wishes) in Opuzen received 475 votes.

Public voting ran from 1 to 30 September, following a nomination period that lasted from 1 May to 31 July.

As the national winner, Domjanić’s Mulberry will represent Croatia in the European Tree of the Year 2027 competition, which brings together winners of national contests from participating countries.

The European winner is expected to be announced around 21 March 2027, marking the occasion of World Forest Day.

Croatia has previously achieved notable results in the European competition. The Daruvar Ginkgo, known as the Lovers’ Ginkgo, finished second in 2020, while the Kostrena Oak placed fifth in 2026.

Other Croatian representatives have included the plane tree in Trsteno, Gupčeva Linden in Gornja Stubica, the Mamutovac oak in Slavonia and the Mulberry at Skradinski Buk.

The Tree of the Year initiative aims to raise awareness of the importance of protecting trees as part of natural and cultural heritage, highlighting the stories and communities connected to individual trees.

The Croatian competition is supported by the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology at the University of Zagreb, Croatian Forests and the Croatian Agrometeorological Society.