Key Facts
- ✓ France's annual tree competition is organized by Terre Sauvage magazine, the Office national des forêts, and the A.R.B.R.E.S. association.
- ✓ Three major awards are presented each year: the Public Prize, the Jury Prize, and the Society of Forestry's Favorite Prize.
- ✓ The 2026 competition featured 13 finalists competing for the prestigious Tree of the Year title.
- ✓ Last year's champion was a remarkable pedunculated oak from Brittany that captured national attention.
- ✓ The competition celebrates France's most magnificent natural specimens, recognizing their ecological, historical, and cultural significance.
- ✓ Winning trees often serve as living monuments that provide habitat for wildlife and contribute to local biodiversity.
Quick Summary
France's most magnificent trees have taken center stage in the annual competition celebrating the nation's natural heritage. The prestigious event, organized by Terre Sauvage magazine, the Office national des forêts, and the A.R.B.R.E.S. association, honors the country's most remarkable living monuments.
Three major awards were presented this year: the Public Prize, the Jury Prize, and the Society of Forestry's Favorite Prize. The competition featured 13 finalists vying for the top honor, with the winning tree succeeding last year's champion—a remarkable oak from Brittany.
A Celebration of Natural Heritage
The competition represents a national celebration of France's arboreal treasures, bringing together nature enthusiasts, forestry experts, and cultural organizations. Each year, the event highlights trees that are not merely botanical specimens but living witnesses to history, ecology, and human connection with the natural world.
The collaboration between Terre Sauvage, a respected environmental magazine, the Office national des forêts (National Forests Office), and A.R.B.R.E.S. (Association for the Recognition of Exceptional Trees) ensures a comprehensive evaluation process. These organizations bring together scientific expertise, public engagement, and conservation advocacy.
The competition's structure includes three distinct awards, each recognizing different aspects of tree excellence:
- Public Prize - voted by the general public
- Jury Prize - selected by expert panel
- Society of Forestry's Favorite Prize - chosen by forestry professionals
The 2026 Winner
Among the 13 finalists competing for the title of Tree of the Year 2026, one specimen emerged victorious. The winning tree now holds the prestigious title, following in the footsteps of last year's champion—a pedunculated oak from Brittany that captured the nation's imagination.
The competition's finalists represented diverse species from across France, each with unique characteristics and historical significance. These trees stand as natural monuments, often located in public spaces, forests, or private estates open to visitors.
While the specific species and location of the 2026 winner remain to be detailed in subsequent announcements, the competition's rigorous selection process ensures that the victor represents the highest standards of arboreal excellence, combining aesthetic beauty, ecological importance, and cultural value.
The Award Process
The competition's evaluation involves multiple stages of assessment, from initial nominations through final selection. The Public Prize engages citizens directly, allowing them to vote for their favorite tree, while the Jury Prize relies on expert evaluation of criteria including size, age, form, and ecological significance.
The Society of Forestry's Favorite Prize adds a professional forestry perspective, recognizing trees that exemplify sustainable forest management and conservation values. This multi-faceted approach ensures that the winning tree represents excellence across different dimensions of tree appreciation.
The competition's structure reflects a growing recognition of trees as critical natural assets that require protection and celebration. By highlighting exceptional specimens, the organizers aim to foster broader appreciation for forest conservation and environmental stewardship.
Living Monuments
France's exceptional trees represent more than botanical curiosities—they are living archives of environmental history, cultural memory, and ecological resilience. Many competition finalists are centuries old, having witnessed historical events, climate changes, and human settlements.
The competition serves as a platform for conservation advocacy, drawing attention to the importance of protecting ancient and rare trees. These specimens often provide critical habitat for wildlife, contribute to local biodiversity, and offer educational opportunities for communities.
By celebrating these natural treasures, the competition encourages public engagement with environmental issues and promotes the preservation of France's natural heritage for future generations.
Looking Ahead
The Tree of the Year 2026 winner now joins a distinguished lineage of remarkable trees that have captured France's attention. This annual celebration continues to grow in importance as environmental awareness increases and the value of natural heritage becomes more widely recognized.
As the winning tree takes its place in the competition's history, it serves as a powerful symbol of the beauty, resilience, and importance of France's forest ecosystems. The competition reminds us that some of our most valuable natural assets are not in distant wilderness, but in our own backyards and communities.
