
A Polish tree that two Jewish brothers used as a shelter for hiding from the Nazis during World War Two has been voted European Tree of the Year 2017.

Oak Józef, in the village of Wiśniowa, south-eastern Poland, was also printed on Polish 100 złoty bills. Today it is admired by many visitors and is captured in many photos and paintings.

The Brimmon Oak, in Newtown, in Wales, came runner-up in the competition.

The competition started in 2011 as a way to highlight the significance of ancient trees. This year featured candidates from 16 countries and the participation of hundreds of thousands of people.

Two Jewish brothers used Oak Józef (pictured) as a shelter for hiding from the Nazis during World War Two

The Polish tree with its extraordinary history was voted European Tree of the Year for 2017

The Mycielski family was so charmed by the beauty of the area that they bought a mansion there that became a cultural and intellectual centre of the region

Today, oak Józef is admired by many visitors and is captured in photos and paintings

Oak Józef, in the village of Wiśniowa, south-eastern Poland, was also printed on Polish 100 złoty bills

According to historians, the tree acted as a refuge for two Jewish brothers, whose family name was Hymi, hiding from the Nazis. They had escaped from a forced labour camp or the Frysztak ghetto.

Jakub Pawłowski of the Ulma Family Museum in Markowa, said: 'The hideout was shown to the brothers by Rozalia Proszak.

'The hollow in which they hid was huge. People say it had two levels, the lower was used as a hideout and the upper – as a lookout. Both brothers survived the occupation but their fate after the war is unknown.'

Robert Godek, head of the Strzyzów District Council, in Poland, received the award.

He said: 'A warm thank you to all the people of Wisniowa and all the European supporters for believing in Oak Józef's candidacy. We will celebrate this honour back home as it deserves.'

The Brimmon Oak (pictured) received 16,203 votes, the Oak Jósef had 17,597 and the third place Lime Tree at Lipka, in the Czech Republic, had 14,813

The Brimmon Oak in Newtown - around which a new bypass will be built after a petition attracted 5,000 signatures - finished runner up to an even older oak from Poland

The 500-year-old oak in Powys finished second in the European Tree of the Year award for 2017

Oak Józef won in a narrow vote, edging out the 500-year-old Welsh Brimmon Oak.

It has been cared for by one family for generations – they even have wedding photographs from 1901 that were taken under its canopy.

But in 2015 it was threatened by a new bypass.

Mervyn Jones, who farms the land, campaigned hard to save the tree with 'tree campaigner' Rob McBride and following a 5,000-signature petition to the Welsh Assembly, the bypass route was adjusted.It was named the UK's Tree of the Year in December.

Mr McBride, who attended the award ceremony in Brussels, said it was 'amazing news'.

The Brimmon Oak received about 16,200 votes, some 1,400 fewer than Poland's Josef Oak, in the results announced on Tuesday. The Lime Tree at Lipka, Czech Republic, came third with about 14,800 votes.

The Lime Tree at Lipka, Czech Republic, came third in the competition with about 14,800 votes