Meet Oldřich’s Oak: The 1,000-year-old tree from Peruc named Czech Tree of the Year 2025
An ancient oak from the village of Peruc, near the northern Bohemian town of Louny, has been crowned Tree of the Year 2025. Known as Oldřich’s Oak, it is among the oldest trees in Czechia, estimated to be around 1,000 years old.
According to legend, it was under this majestic tree that Duke Oldřich first laid eyes on Božena, a humble washerwoman. The story tells that while riding through the Peruc forests, the duke spotted the young woman washing clothes by a stream beneath the oak. Captivated by her at first sight, he fell deeply in love and later made her his wife, turning Božena into a duchess.
Oldřich’s Oak is not only a symbol of love and history but also of resilience. The mighty tree has survived two fires and continues to thrive. It is a protected natural monument, cherished both for its age and for the stories it carries through the centuries.
In this year’s Czech Tree of the Year contest, the oak received over 9,700 votes, about 1,200 more than its closest competitor, a pear tree from Radovy in the Zlín Region.
“Trees with the most powerful stories tend to win,” says Miroslava Klimešová from the Partnership Foundation, which organizes the annual competition.
“Our goal is to celebrate people who care for the trees around them and to share the remarkable stories behind these living witnesses of time,” she adds.
In total, 88 trees were entered into the Tree of the Year 2025 contest. From the ten finalists, the jury selected Oldřich’s Oak as the winner. With a trunk circumference of 7.5 meters, the tree will now receive professional arborist care as part of its prize, ensuring it continues to stand strong for generations to come.
