As we continued waddling through the Malé Karpaty, we came across a true record holder and a real winner among trees; the legendary Dračí dub, also known as the Dragon Oak.
The Dragon Oak (Quercus robur) is in the protected landscape area of CHKO Malé Karpaty, within the cadastral area of Lozorno. It is estimated to be around 600 years old, with a trunk circumference of 677 cm measured 1 m above ground and a height of approximately 24 m. In 2022, it was crowned Slovak Tree of the Year, and in 2023, it proudly achieved 2nd place in the European Tree of the Year competition.
The name “Dragon Oak” was given to the Tree by local photographer Tibi Végh from Lozorno, who also nominated it for the Tree of the Year competition to help save it from destruction during extensive logging in the surrounding area. The oak resembles a seated dragon that has guarded the locals for centuries, from the first settlers who helped build the nearby Pajštún Castle, through merchants and Croatian settlers, to overseeing the construction of a steam-powered narrow-gauge forest railway in the valley. Standing here, it is humbling to realize that this Tree was already growing at a time when Christopher Columbus was still in diapers.
In April 2025, the Dragon Oak received professional arboricultural treatment under the supervision of Reg Harris, arborist of Sherwood Forest (UK). The work included protecting the root system, removing parasitic plants, and implementing veteranization measures, such as creating initial woodpecker cavities and simulating a lightning strike to support biodiversity and the Tree’s long-term survival.
And of course, we could not leave without adding a little Lifeguin magic. We carefully hid a penguin stone inside the trunk, so it can stand guard alongside the Dragon Oak and help protect this extraordinary Tree for future generations to admire.
Last known location – 48.3247217N, 17.1004094E
