Tree of the year 2013 in France

The French magazine Terre sauvage and the Office national des forêts (the French forestry commission) have organized, for the second year, a contest to designate the tree of the year, l'arbre de l'année.   Actually, two trees are chosen: one by a jury and one by the public.  And both winners in 2013 chosen among 200 candidates and 23 nominees (some quite spectacular) are oaks.

The first is the Oak of Saint-Civran, in the Region Centre, is a tree 7 m in diameter, thought to be nearly 1000 years old. It can be seen here on Flickr.

Le chêne de Saint-Civran (Centre). | Louis-Marie Préau/Terre Sauvage 2013

The second tree, chosen by the public, is a bonsai oak that grows on a dovecote in Britanny.  This tree is over 100 years old.

Le chêne bonzaï de Bégard (Bretagne). | Louis-Marie Préau/Terre Sauvage 2013

See also the website of the French newspaper Le Monde from where these pictures were taken.