Time to search for Latvia's tree with a story!

In the first half of July, for the sixth time, we are launching the “European Tree of the Year in Latvia 2026” competition, to continue identifying and getting to know Latvia’s trees with ancient, interesting, fascinating, slightly sad or adventure-filled stories, impressive or less-than-impressive dimensions, but undeniably with a significant place in the preservation of Latvia’s cultural-historical heritage and natural values.

The aim of the competition is to encourage people to get involved in exploring and preserving the local environment and cultural heritage by sharing interesting and significant, perhaps forgotten and even previously unheard stories about trees that are an integral part of our lives, nature, landscape, country, and history.

In Latvia, there have been officially counted 6,675,600,290* trees.

The European Tree of the Year competition has been taking place in European countries since 2002, organised by organisations related to forests, land, the environment, and history.

The Forest Certification Council of Latvia and Latvian Forest Owners Association are continuing the tradition for the sixth year of honouring special trees here at home and, very importantly, taking their stories beyond the borders of Latvia.

We invite you to submit information about the tree and the tree's story by 1 October (more information https://www.eiropasgadakoks.lv/nolikums)

The winner of the Latvian competition will be determined by a public vote, which is planned for this autumn. The winning tree, as usual, will participate in the European Tree of the Year competition next year.

More information about the European Tree of the Year in Latvia, participation, and results from previous years www.eiropasgadakoks.lv

Forest Certification Council of Latvia
Latvian Forest Owners Association

In the image: European Tree of the Year in Latvia 2025, the Valdemārpils Elku Lime Tree
https://www.eiropasgadakoks.lv/koki-un-stasti
*Latvian National Forest Inventory data