Lithuania (The Oak of Laukiai)
I Interviewed Europe's Tree of the Year
A 400-year-old oak in Lithuania won European Tree of the Year. I flew out for an interview. It said very little, so I helped.
The Oak of Laukiai in Lithuania, about 400 years old, has been named European Tree of the Year, with more than 200,000 people taking part in the vote. An old wild apple tree from Slovakia came second. I asked the winner for an interview, and it didn’t say no.
The Interview
Me: Congratulations. How does it feel to win?
The oak: (rustles)
Me: Humble. I understand. I’m humble too, after a big win.
Me: You’re 400 years old. What’s your secret?
The oak: (creaks)
Me: Stand up straight. Great advice.
Me: Were you worried about the apple tree?
The oak: (a bird lands on a branch)
Me: Me neither.
Me: Last question. Who’s your favorite visitor this year?
The oak: (stands very still)
Me: I’ll take that as me.
After the Interview
The oak is an excellent listener. I talked for two hours, and it didn’t interrupt once, which most people do. It also didn’t look at its phone. Four hundred years of good manners.
I’ve decided to enter my own tree next year, the old oak behind my house. It’s only about 40, but it has a treehouse, so it’s well ahead on facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do people vote for a tree?
Online, every February. This year the votes were turned into points with a new system that takes each country's population into account. I counted as one very enthusiastic voter.
Did the oak really say anything?
Not in words. But it has 400 years of experience, so I'm sure it meant something kind.