Oak Fabrykant is one of Łódź landmarks. Its distinctive s-shaped bough, more than 20 meters in length, makes quite an impression on people who happen to be passing by. The circumference of its trunk measures 4.7 meters.
In spring, the tree, surrounded with flowering Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) to form a beautiful blue carpet, grants a magical view. Łódź residents and visitors to the city alike flock to the park in large numbers to admire Oak Fabykant and take pictures.
Rector of Lodz University of Technology professor Krzysztof Jóźwik rejoices in the tree's popularity, as it attracts many to visit the campus.
The oak competed for the title with 15 trees hailing from different European countries. Having garnered 45,718 votes cast by internauts, it won, beating out the Dragon Oak from the Slovak village of Lozorno, which came in second with 18,198 votes. The third place went to the Apple Tree Colony from Krolevets, Ukraine, which received 14,219 votes.
The winners of the European Tree of the Year competition were announced on March 21 at a ceremony in Brussels.