Best Return-To-Roots
Tree of the Year Awards
After a dormant decade, Austin’s Tree of the Year program returned in 2022. The effort, a partnership between planting/education nonprofit TreeFolks and the city’s Parks and Rec Department, brings focus to the hunkiest trunks and most beautiful branches in town. And why not? After all, marveling at great trees is one of life’s simple pleasures. Through nominations, followed by public voting, honors are awarded in the categories of Unique Tree, Story Tree, Schoolyard Tree, Small Tree, and Large Tree. Winning in the latter, most esteemed group was the extraordinary Sorin Oak on the St. Edward’s campus, which is believed to be over 250 years old.