The European bison (Bison bonasus L.) is a keystone megaherbivore whose growing population in Central Europe raises new conservation and management challenges, particularly in forested and agricultural landscapes. In Slovakia’s Poloniny National Park, the only region in the country with a free-ranging European bison population, concerns over forest damage prompted an investigation into the species' trophic preferences. We assessed browsing pressure across five forest sites, analysing damage to seven common tree species using a generalized linear mixed model. Our results reveal strong species-specific preferences, with Norway spruce and silver fir showing the highest probabilities of bison-induced damage, while European beech and hornbeam were least affected. These findings suggest that European bison browsing is non-random and may influence forest composition over time. The study highlights the need for targeted management strategies to mitigate negative impacts on forestry while supporting the continued conservation of this emblematic species.