On February 1 voting for 2015 European Tree of the Year started with 14 tree entries. A Bulgarian entry is also part of the race - a branchy plane tree in the village of Archar. In this nice annual competition launched five years ago Bulgarian contenders have already won one third, one second and one first place. Last year the first prize went to a 1000-year-old magnificent elm from the town of Sliven.

The organizer of the national race for the campaign is the Eco Community Foundation. Is Bulgaria likely to repeat this great success with its new entry - the plane tree in the center of the village of Archar? Well, it is up to the active participation of its fans.

The people of Archar and the whole of Vidin region have already been very active at the national level. They have beaten much more attractive contenders such as the 800-year-old plane tree from Dzhigurovo near Sandanski with its dramatic life story, while the plane tree from the village of Archar is half a century old. It was planted during communism, in 1963. Miroslav Lyudmilov goes back to the details: the seeds of the plane tree have been brought from Southern Bulgaria to the forestry farm in Vidin by a resident of Archar. Transplantation was a long a difficult process. Only 7 seedlings grew out suitable for transplantation. The Archar man lobbied for one of the seedlings to be taken to his native village, and since then it has had a tree rare for that part of Bulgaria.

"The tree stands in the central square of the village outside the Village Hall and close to the school, the church and the community center”, Miroslav Lyudmilov explains. “Its shadow attracts visitors who come for the Sunday market in Archar. We are very proud of this remarkable plane tree because it has been an important part of community life. It provides a beautiful natural setting for the community festivals and is a friend of the locals on stormy days. It has inspired them and has been a source of hope, faith and strength.”

The branchy guardian in the center of the village however needs specialized care.

"The tree is not ancient but has been aging,” Mr Lyudmilov says. “One of its branches needs support not to break down. I should like to thank the mayor of Archar who has placed a special brace to hold the branch under heavy snow.”

The people of Archar hope that in case they win the title European Tree of the Year this will be helpful in providing better care for the beautiful tree in the center of their village.

"It is an honour for us to take part in the race because we live in the region of Vidin, a region veiled in media silence, where not much is happening. This competition is a good way to create some media noise, and hopefully, we will be able to take proper care of this lovely tree.”

So voting for European Tree of the Year has already started and will be on until the end of the month on the website www.treeoftheyear.org .

English Daniela Konstantinova