Each year, the New Zealand Notable Tree Trust holds an online Tree of the Year competition, inviting the public to vote for one of a small number of remarkable trees from across New Zealand. For the 2026 edition, one of the nominated trees is this extraordinary Cercis siliquastrum, known as “The Sangro Survivor”.
The nomination of “The Sangro Survivor” for the 2026 New Zealand Tree of the Year is more than a celebration of a remarkable tree, it is a tribute to the enduring friendship between Italy and New Zealand.
Grown from a seed collected in the Sangro Valley in Italy by New Zealand soldier Sam Allen during the Second World War, this Cercis siliquastrum stands today as a living symbol of resilience, remembrance, and the shared history that continues to connect our two countries.
The Embassy of Italy in Wellington is pleased to support the initiative of the notable tree Trust, which honors a unique story of courage, memory, and the lasting ties between Italy and New Zealand.
For more information: The Sangro Survivor | Tree of the Year
