Annually, the Environmental Partnership Association (EPA) organizes an online vote to select the Tree of the Year: This year's winner was a Portuguese cork oak tree from the Alentejo region named "The Whistler."

She was born in 1783 and her name was given for the countless birds singing from her branches. With 16.2 meter high, she's the largest cork oak in the world and she was disheveled for its coark around twentie times now.

The home of The Whistler is in Aguas de Moura, Palmela - Setúbal. Some locals also call her 'Casamenteira,' as she served as romantic place for couples to date (and even marry). 

This was the first time Portugal entered the voting and The Whistler racked in on 26,606 votes. It outpaced a Spanish group of 7 ancient elms (2nd Place) and an oak from the Russian Federation (3rd Place).  In the top finalists were also the Redwoods from Bulgaria and the Walnut Tree from the Czech Republic