
TreeHugging World Championships 2023
The 4th annual TreeHugging World Championships of 2023 (#TreeHugging2023) will be held on Saturday the 19th of August in our HaliPuu forest in Levi, Lapland, Finland. Participants from all over the world are welcome to join and compete for the title of World Champion – apply now and challenge our last year’s winner, Ani from Finland.
Fill in the application form HERE
Happy hugging 🌲🤗🌳
TreeHugging World Championships 2022
TreeHugging World Championships of 2022 (#TreeHugging2022) were held on Saturday the 20th of August in our HaliPuu forest in Levi, Lapland, Finland. You can watch the Live broadcast from our forest and continue sending in your favourite treehugging pictures for our World Map of Trees.
Happy hugging!
Winner of Online TreeHugging World Championships 2022
The online contest is now over and we have a winner! Here is the statement from our judges:
“We want to thank each participant to the Online TreeHugging World Championships 2022 for their entries. This competition is about sharing love for nature with kindered spirits, and encouraging you to go out and tap into the benefits that forests have for our mind and body.
…
Things that the jury looks for in the pictures are amongst others; Joy, passion for nature, beauty and creativity. The jury also likes to see stories and pictures that encourage others to be active in, and with, nature and trees. We have chosen four pictures that represent these qualities, and one of them is the winner of the Online TreeHugging World Championships 2022.
The finalists are:
Joy: Anbrin and his superhero friends hugging a tree
Passion for nature: Kristen, who had planted trees after a devastating storm
Beauty: SusanneM with her visually captivating hug in a blue dress
Creativity: Berzaite with her balloons and recorders
The winner of online TreeHugging World Championships 2022 is Kristen from Iowa. Kristen’s picture symbolizes hope that is present even after a devastating catastrophe. Hope turned into action is what we all need right now.”
Here is Kristen’s winning entry:
“August 10, 2020 , a Derecho with 140 MPH straight line winds devastated Iowa. As a state we lost 7 Million trees. My home lost nearly 100. After cleaning up, we are replanting . I call my little trees “New Beginnings.”

The prizes
Kristen will be invited to join the live competition of 2023 in HaliPuu forest, Levi, Finland. She will receive a one-week stay for two in Levi (courtesy of Visit Levi) and a private cocooning trip for two with us here in the HaliPuu forest, both during #TreeHugging2023 next year. She will also recieve a gift card to a luxurious 2 night accommodation for two persons in Design Hotel Levi, including breakfast and entrance to the SPA, as well as a 2 person dinner courtesy of King Crab House in Levi.
Congratulations and foresty hugs to Kristen! Thank you all for helping us spread the joy of TreeHugging 💚
Watch the Live Stream from the 20th of August
“There was some kind of inexplicable magic in the afternoon spent in the forest. The atmosphere was immediate and relaxed, with genuine warmth twinkling in the eyes of everyone present. Lightness and good feeling bubbled in the air while the forest breathed deeply around us, gratefully accepting every hug it received.
Nature, joy, like-minded people, lightness and good coffee. If anything can help with this anxiety caused by the evil that is rampant in the world, well, this is it.”
– Laura Leppäjärvi, one of our judges on her Instagram account @laanelle
Share your TreeHugging Photo with Treebuddy -app
Although the Online TreeHugging World Championships are over for 2022, we would love to keep receiving your hugging pictures on our World Map of Trees, powered by our friends at Treebuddy.
Now more than ever, connecting with nature and finding peace and balance among trees – either live or virtually – has become more essential and needed. At HaliPuu we came up with the TreeHugging Championships in 2020 as a way to cheer people up during the pandemic, and to remind them of the instant stress release that trees and forests offer. By adding your hug on our map you join us spreading the joy of this wonderful wholesome activity. Hugging and sharing is caring!
- Start by going to:
https://www.treebuddy.earth/accounts/signup/ and creating a free account for yourself (it is best to use your smartphone).
In the upper right corner you see a button with three lines – press it and a menu opens. Select App (the lowest item on the menu)
2. You are now in a screen with a world map. Press the menu button in the top left corner, and you will see a menu with option My Groups. Press it, then select join a group and finally type in halipuu in the ”Group code” box.
Congratulations, you can now add your own hug on the map!
3. In the upper left menu you now have an option Hug a tree! Press that. You are now back in the world map, with a yellow button + NEW HUG in the bottom right corner.
To add your hug click the + NEW HUG -button. The app locates your map coordinates. In the “Story” box, describe why you love this particular tree or tree hugging in general. Then press Take a photo to make your TreeHugging picture, and finally save your hug. It will now appear on the map.
4. Well done, you have now submitted your entry to the TreeHugging World Championships!
Looking forward to many wonderful photos from tree lovers from around the world!
Happy hugging 🌲🤗🌳
See what our friends have been posting recently!
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 1 year, 7 months ago
Daniyar definitely knows what he is doing, thank you for these beautiful hugging pictures Gulmira 🌲🤗
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 1 year, 7 months ago
Trees definitely radiate wonderful, calm energy 🤗 Thank you Anastasia!
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 1 year, 7 months ago
What a lovely TreeHug and a story, Alexandra!
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 1 year, 7 months ago
That is a beautiful big oak, Nataliya, thank you for sharing it with us 🌲🤗
CalebBag became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
CalebBag
@calebbag
Williamskist became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Williamskist
@williamskist
Geraldidots became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Geraldidots
@geraldidots
Gulmira commented on Gulmira‘s photo 1 year, 7 months ago
Q6HX+F9 Синт-Питерс-Леув
Gulmira commented on Gulmira‘s photo 1 year, 7 months ago
Q6HX+F9 Синт-Питерс-Леув
Gulmira commented on Gulmira‘s photo 1 year, 7 months ago
Q6HX+F9 Синт-Питерс-Леув
Gulmira posted an update 1 year, 7 months ago
Hello everyone! Let me introduce you my son Daniyar. He is 14 yo, and he is a special needs child. We don’t know the reasons, but since he was a toddler he loves a trees. He loves to hug the trees, touch them. He can’t speak, so we don’t know what he’s thinking about in this moment. But we see that he enjoys it. It seems like he is listening the…[Read more]
Daniyar definitely knows what he is doing, thank you for these beautiful hugging pictures Gulmira 🌲🤗
Natalya changed their profile picture 1 year, 7 months ago
Natalya
@natalya
Gulmira became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Gulmira
@danik
JesusTairm became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
JesusTairm
@jesustairm
Natalya became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Natalya
@natalya
Anastasia posted an update 1 year, 7 months ago
Hello!
Moscow, Russia 55°50’41.0”N 37°36’22.3”E
I did chose this tree because it radiates energy. When I hug it, I feel calmness, peace and joy. It gives me power and strengthens my spirit.
Trees definitely radiate wonderful, calm energy 🤗 Thank you Anastasia!
Aleksandra posted an update 1 year, 7 months ago
54.576293, 25.849430
Mindyany, Belarus
Hello,
This is my daughter, she’s 5 years old, she hugs a very big and old linden tree in a small village in Belarus.
We like to hug trees because they have different textures, smell. It’s nice to hug them and listen to the sound their leaves make when the wind blows. When we hug such a big tree, we think…[Read more]
What a lovely TreeHug and a story, Alexandra!
Moshehailt became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Moshehailt
@moshehailt
Aleksandra became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Aleksandra
@aleksandrasb
Anastasia became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Anastasia
@anastasiagotkina
Seyede Mahdis Hojjati became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Seyede Mahdis Hojjati
@mahdispics
Nataliya19 posted an update 1 year, 7 months ago
Hello! I love this tree because it’s an oak with a very thick trunk. It was on earth long before I was born. It has a lot of wisdom and strength. I felt this strength when I hugged it. After hugging this oak, I felt very strong and calm.
55.844072, 37.607572
Moscow, Russia
That is a beautiful big oak, Nataliya, thank you for sharing it with us 🌲🤗
Nataliya19 became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Nataliya19
@nataliya19
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted an update 1 year, 7 months ago
On Saturday we crowned the winner of the LIVE contest here in our HaliPuu forest in Lapland (the Online contest is still running until Sat 28th so keep sending us your hugging pictures). Can you believe, Stefania is now the champion – for second year running!!! She really was born to hug trees! You can watch the full broadcast at…[Read more]
EdwardInert became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
EdwardInert
@edwardinert
Koti.travel became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Koti.travel
@koti-travel
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted an update 1 year, 7 months ago
Welcome to our forest all new members, so lovely to see you here 🌲🤗 You can post your treehugging pictures in the text-box above this comment section. If that does not work, please send your pictures&coordinates&descriptions to our email: info(at)halipuu.com!
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 1 year, 7 months ago
It is a lovely tree and a lovely hug, happy that you shared it Nelly!
Nelly posted an update 1 year, 7 months ago
Hello everyone! My favourite tree lives in the local park near my home. I usually hug it and talk to it when I’m there. Every season I take photos of my tree. It’s white, gray, yellow and green but always beautiful and huggy 🙂
The tree cures me and talks to me with its leaves whispers 😉
Maybe this is not the funniest hug here but I just would lik…[Read more]
It is a lovely tree and a lovely hug, happy that you shared it Nelly!
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 1 year, 7 months ago
Thank you for this beautiful entry, Katja, the feeling that this picture emits is wonderful!
Marika became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Marika
@marikasuzanne
Lowellurgek became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Lowellurgek
@lowellurgek
Katja changed their profile picture 1 year, 7 months ago
Katja
@katja
Katja posted an update 1 year, 7 months ago
For my birthday this year I planted 🌳🌳🌳 baby pine tree saplings representing the past, present, and future.
I also decided to participate in the 2021 World Tree 🌳 Hugging Competition organized by HaliPuu taking place today in beautiful Levi, Finland 🇫🇮.
While my family and I are currently in 🇫🇮, we are joining the online competition with this…[Read more]
Thank you for this beautiful entry, Katja, the feeling that this picture emits is wonderful!
WarrenQuiep became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
WarrenQuiep
@warrenquiep
Jane Cerami became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Jane Cerami
@janeceramiart
Katja became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Katja
@katja
Nadya became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Nadya
@abirvilg
Ola became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Ola
@ol0407
Egor became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Egor
@dargorik
Михаил became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Михаил
@sla9lnin
Kirill became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Kirill
@qelphybox
Morrisanell became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Morrisanell
@morrisanell
Leonid Grinuk became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Leonid Grinuk
@leonidgrinuk
Roxie Sandridge became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Roxie Sandridge
@roxiesandridge
ShannonveX became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
ShannonveX
@shannonvex
Francine Slapoffski became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Francine Slapoffski
@francineslapof
Pavel became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Pavel
@grankin
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted an update 1 year, 7 months ago
Welcome to our forest all new members, so lovely to see you here 🌲🤗 You can post your treehugging pictures in the text-box above this comment section. If that does not work, please send your pictures&coordinates&descriptions to our email: info(at)halipuu.com!
Olga became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Olga
@undeadgirl
Svetlana became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Svetlana
@svetlaya
Катя became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Катя
@kati
Sophia L. became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Sophia L.
@sophial
Irina became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Irina
@irinav
Shamancev became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Shamancev
@shamancev
Igor became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Igor
@igorsh
TimothyAromi became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
TimothyAromi
@timothyaromi
Ket became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Ket
@ekaterina
Zimfira became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
Zimfira
@svetzel
ZikoisNaf became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
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@zikoisnaf
RittsNaf became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
RittsNaf
@rittsnaf
SharonZep became a registered member 1 year, 7 months ago
SharonZep
@sharonzep
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 1 year, 8 months ago
Thank you Chantal, it was so much fun yesterday! You can watch a recording of last night’s “Postcards from the World” -broadcast here: https://happs.tv/post/Wq02f3GiFu4yrUbSoBQo
Our part starts at about 23 minutes (you can see Chantal’s daredevil TreeHug at 32 minutes). Brilliant!
Chantal Hoogvliet posted an update 1 year, 8 months ago
I will be hugging a tree in the centre of Paris Tonight as a warm up for the World Championships. Riitta will give me instructions and drink a tea from the French Press in Halipuu!
Thank you Chantal, it was so much fun yesterday! You can watch a recording of last night’s “Postcards from the World” -broadcast here: https://happs.tv/post/Wq02f3GiFu4yrUbSoBQo
Our part starts at about 23 minutes (you can see Chantal’s daredevil TreeHug at 32 minutes). Brilliant!
Chantal Hoogvliet became a registered member 1 year, 8 months ago
Chantal Hoogvliet
@chantaltv
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted an update 1 year, 9 months ago
Weyhey, our TreeHugging World Championships are coming again on August the 21st! You can start looking for your perfect hugging tree, we are eagerly waiting for your entry! If you need some inspiration in your search, check out this link: https://www.americanforests.org/get-involved/americas-biggest-trees/champion-trees-national-register/…[Read more]
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted an update 1 year, 10 months ago
Sunderlal Bahuguna, aged 94, died of Covid19 last week. Who is he, you may ask. According to BBC he was “the man who taught Indians to hug trees to protect the environment” through his Chipko-movement. Read more about this incredible man’s life’s work here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-57171363
FinnWill became a registered member 2 years ago
FinnWill
@finnwill
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted an update 2 years, 1 month ago
Online social networking has been our saviour in these troublesome times. But did you know that trees have their own social network that can keep an entire forest connected? It is Mycorrhiza- the fungal association of trees and the internet of the forest! Here’s an article that explains how Mycorrhiza binds the diverse flora in forests along w…[Read more]
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted an update 2 years, 1 month ago
Valentine’s day is almost here ❤️ If you are still looking for something special to your loved one, why not give them a gift that keeps giving: Campfire Barista’s next online coffee course is taking place on Sunday! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/140042792763
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 2 years, 1 month ago
Welcome to the forest Tiina 🌲🤗 Have you been hugging trees recently?
Tiina Olkkonen became a registered member 2 years, 1 month ago
Tiina Olkkonen
@tiinao
Welcome to the forest Tiina 🌲🤗 Have you been hugging trees recently?
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted an update 2 years, 1 month ago
Hello, dear people! It has been snowing a LOT in our forest, and we have been busy cleaning the campfire place and keeping the paths walkable. While you may wonder how it is to live in such icy surroundings, we have found an answer to an even more burning question: is it ok to eat snow?
https://www.popsci.com/story/science/it-ok-eat-snow/
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 2 years, 2 months ago
Nice to have you in our forest, Carinder 🌲🤗 Do you live close to trees?
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 2 years, 2 months ago
Welcome to the forest Wilma 🌲🤗 Have you been hugging trees recently?
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 2 years, 2 months ago
Hi Marilyn, welcome to HaliPuu forest 🌲🤗 It is snowy in Lapland, how do your trees look like right now?
carinder became a registered member 2 years, 2 months ago
carinder
@carinder
Nice to have you in our forest, Carinder 🌲🤗 Do you live close to trees?
Wilma Wusel became a registered member 2 years, 2 months ago
Wilma Wusel
@bettinafoerster-baldenius
Welcome to the forest Wilma 🌲🤗 Have you been hugging trees recently?
Marilyn became a registered member 2 years, 2 months ago
Marilyn
@marilynbeth
Hi Marilyn, welcome to HaliPuu forest 🌲🤗 It is snowy in Lapland, how do your trees look like right now?
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted an update 2 years, 2 months ago
Hey everybody, it looks like there has been a spammer responding to people’s messages on our site. Sorry about that!!! Your information has not been compromised in any way, but it is really annoying. We try to minimize the spam action on our site but it is very difficult to stop fully. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions about it!
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted an update 2 years, 2 months ago
Happy New Year dear people! In this short but beautiful excerpt Elif Shafak uses trees to point our attention to the silent stories surrounding us.
“Listen to what we have to tell,
because hidden inside our story
is the past and the future of…[Read more]
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 2 years, 2 months ago
Nice to have you in our forest, Charlotte, we would love to see a picture of the trees around you 🤗🎄!
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 2 years, 2 months ago
Welcome to the forest hXcSonata, what do the wintery trees look like in your part of the world 🤗🎄?
Charlotte became a registered member 2 years, 3 months ago
Charlotte
@charlotteandrew
Nice to have you in our forest, Charlotte, we would love to see a picture of the trees around you 🤗🎄!
hXcSonata became a registered member 2 years, 3 months ago
hXcSonata
@suomiarctica
Welcome to the forest hXcSonata, what do the wintery trees look like in your part of the world 🤗🎄?
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 2 years, 3 months ago
Welcome to our forest Gwynfor, looking forward to what you share 🤗🎄
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 2 years, 3 months ago
Welcome to our forest, Jill 🤗🎄 What do the trees look like in your part of the world?
Gwynfor James became a registered member 2 years, 3 months ago
Gwynfor James
@gwynforjamesbtinternet-com
Welcome to our forest Gwynfor, looking forward to what you share 🤗🎄
Jill Neimark became a registered member 2 years, 3 months ago
Jill Neimark
@jill
Welcome to our forest, Jill 🤗🎄 What do the trees look like in your part of the world?
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted an update 2 years, 3 months ago
Have you been in the nature today? During our live broadcasts we always talk about the different benefits that trees and forests have on humans, both mentally and physically. Here is an article that links to studies on those benefits, and explains what it is that draws us to the nature…[Read more]
HaliPuu posted a new activity comment 2 years, 3 months ago
Hi Greta, welcome to our forest 🤗🎄 Yep, that is a dilemma! What we do at HaliPuu is to take a wild spruce from our forest (one that is growing in an unfavorable place) and after Christmas recycle it by bringing it to the local stables for fence making 😀 Very sustainable!
Greta posted an update 2 years, 3 months ago
What about Christmas trees?
Christmas is coming, and with it a crucial question: is a real tree more sustainable than a fake tree?
With sustainability being more and more important it is a legitimate question. There are different studies about this topic but the fact is, it really depends on your attitude.
When it comes to the artificial option,…[Read more]
Hi Greta, welcome to our forest 🤗🎄 Yep, that is a dilemma! What we do at HaliPuu is to take a wild spruce from our forest (one that is growing in an unfavorable place) and after Christmas recycle it by bringing it to the local stables for fence making 😀 Very sustainable!
Greta changed their profile picture 2 years, 3 months ago
Greta
@gretachevola
Greta became a registered member 2 years, 3 months ago
Greta
@gretachevola
M. Ait Ali changed their profile picture 2 years, 3 months ago
M. Ait Ali
@maitali
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 2 years, 3 months ago
Lovely to have you in our forest Celeste 🤗 What do the trees look like in your part of the world 🌲🌳🌴
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink posted a new activity comment 2 years, 3 months ago
Welcome to the forest M. Ait Ali! Looking forward to what you share 🌲🤗
Celeste became a registered member 2 years, 3 months ago
Celeste
@anatomic-hug
Lovely to have you in our forest Celeste 🤗 What do the trees look like in your part of the world 🌲🌳🌴
M. Ait Ali became a registered member 2 years, 3 months ago
M. Ait Ali
@maitali
Welcome to the forest M. Ait Ali! Looking forward to what you share 🌲🤗
Riitta Raekallio-Wunderink commented on Christopher Cochrane‘s photo 2 years, 3 months ago
These are such gorgeous trees, and the light is beautiful too!