Nine extraordinary trees have been shortlisted for the title of 2025 Victorian Tree of the Year, spanning Metropolitan Melbourne, Phillip Island, and the High Country—and now it’s your turn to help crown the winner.

Among this year’s finalists are the rare Himalayan Oak in Bright Cemetery—one of only a few in Victoria—and the much-loved Golden Elm in South Yarra, known as Melbourne’s most emailed tree. The list also includes a Moreton Bay Fig in Windsor with rare aerial roots, a multi-trunked African Sumac in Camberwell adored by generations of children, and a majestic Olive Tree at Beechworth’s Plough Inn, believed to be one of the oldest in the state.

Also in the running are the Smooth Barked Apple Myrtle in Ashburton, the Golden Cypress Avenue in Cowes—a striking one-mile stretch of 119 trees planted by the community—the historic Tasmanian Blue Gum at Federation University in Ballarat, and the Algerian Oak in Kingston, a cherished local tree currently under threat.

Each finalist is a living symbol of place, memory, and resilience—now it’s your turn to decide which one will be crowned Victoria’s Tree of the Year.

How to Vote

The winner is decided entirely by public vote—so be sure to share the competition far and wide to rally your community and support your favourite tree!

CAST YOUR VOTE

Voting opens 9am, Tuesday 23 September and closes midnight, Thursday 23 October

The winner will be announced on Tuesday 28 October 2025

  

2025 Tree of the Year Finalists

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Himalayan Oak

Bright Cemetery

Quercus leucotricophara

A rare species in Victoria, this giant watches calmly over the cemetery at Bright. Native to the Himalayas, it is found in Northern India, Nepal, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. This Quercus leucotricophara it is one of only nine known examples in Victoria. Each leaf is dark green above, and silvery grey underneath. At about 130 years old and with a canopy spreading over 24m, it is a striking feature of the landscape. An evergreen oak, this giant is a precious reminder of life.  

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Smooth Barked Apple Myrtle

Ashburton

Angophora costata

The High Street Apple Myrtle (or Ashburton Tree of Life, as it is described by the Ashburton Community Centre) has been a unifying and constant feature for the residents of Ashburton for over 80 years. Throughout changes in land use and demographics, starting its life within the Ashburton Estate for new immigrants and returned servicemen; to shading a doctor’s surgery; to being in the grounds of the Ashburton Community Centre. 

 

Today, the tree provides the only constant on a busy roadway and an ever-changing array of shopfronts. It shades a small children’s playground, now guarding the next generation of Ashburton residents. 

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Golden Elm

South Yarra

Ulmus glabra ‘Lutescens’

Commonly known as the Golden Wych Elm, this tree is seen and appreciated by thousands of commuters every day. A superb example of its species, and of a significant tree in the urban landscape. Planted in about 1938, it has been a symbol of the changing of the seasons in an urban environment for nearly 90 years.

 

It became Melbourne’s most emailed tree after the launch of the City of Melbourne’s Urban Forest Visual Website in 2013, which allowed people to address the cities trees as individuals, expressing their admiration, hopes and ideas.  

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Moreton Bay Fig

Windsor

Ficus macrophylla

This Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) is one of the ‘signature trees’ from the formative years of gardens in Victoria. The tree shares a long and continuous history with the site, itself closely aligned with the passing of the Education Act in 1872 and the subsequent expansion of religious education in the State, and is estimated to be over 140 years old.

 

This tree forms an amazing example of the aerial roots that these trees rarely produce in Victoria, which shows the form of a true ‘banyan’ that you would otherwise see only in the tropics.

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African Sumac

Riversdale Park, Camberwell

Rhus aff. viminalis

A rare species, of State Significance, this Sumac tree is estimated to be 129 years old. With its multiple trunks and graceful appearance, African Sumac are particularly valued for their ability to provide shade, with high drought tolerance and heat adaptability. This makes it an increasingly important species in a changing climate.

 

This Rhus aff viminalis is a continuous link to the history of the gardens, which have changed and evolved over time: it provides hope for our green spaces into the future: and is also an important way for the children of the area to connect with nature.

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Tasmanian Blue Gum

Federation University, Mt Helen

Eucalyptus globulus ssp globulus

Known as “The Tree of Knowledge”, this eucalyptus is a central landmark in the main Quadrangle of Federation University in Ballarat. This beautiful and majestic old tree has unusual morphology: twin trunks have fused together.  It was planted as a seedling on Arbor Day, 23 May 1896, on what was then a dairy farm, and now has a trunk girth of nearly 8m, and stands at over 42m high.

 

While this species is a forest tree in select locations in Victoria and Tasmania, it was widely planted in the nineteenth century as a street tree, windbreak and in many historic parks and gardens.

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Olive

The Plough Inn, Beechworth

Olea europaea

Although Olive Trees are known for their longevity this one must be one of the oldest in the country. It has several trunks, retains its natural form, and is remarkably tall and appears to be in very good condition.

 

Olives have deep historical, economic, and cultural significance, particularly in the Mediterranean. First cultivated between 8,000 and 6,000 years ago, they are among the oldest fruit trees domesticated by humans.

 

This ancient example is on the site of The Plough Inn, which has been used continuously since the days of Cobb and Co.

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Golden Cypress

Cowes

Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Aurea’

The striking Golden Monterey Cypress avenue that forms an entrance to the township of Cowes stretches a full mile and comprises 119 golden cypress trees, planted progressively from 1912 to 1935.

 

Community spirit ran high as local school children and residents participated in the planting, starting from the Esplanade and extending inland, and they continue to be loved and protected by locals and visitors. Rare in uniformity and scale, these trees are more than botanical specimens—they are living heritage. The avenue stands as a powerful example of early 20th-century civic pride, community action, and landscape foresight. 

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Algerian Oak

Kingston

Quercus canariensis

The oak is beside an old coach track believed to have been used by Cobb & Co coaches between Ballarat and Daylesford. Most likely planted in 1883, it now stands on the only piece of public land in Kingston.

 

Native to southern Portugal, Spain, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco this species is well fitted to the climate in Victoria. With a lovely natural form and branches which sweep nearly to the ground, it is very striking in the landscape, loved by locals and visitors, and an ecosystem in its own right.

 

This tree is currently under threat of complete removal for transmission lines, and the community who care for it are fighting for its retention for future generations.

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About the Competition

The Victorian Tree of the Year shines a light on the importance of trees in our everyday lives. From improving air quality and supporting wildlife, to reducing stress, lowering urban heat, and offering moments of beauty—trees are vital to our wellbeing and the health of our communities.

Each of the trees is listed on the National Trust Significant Tree Register, which recognises thousands of important trees for their cultural, scientific, and historic value, and all stand as powerful reminders of the natural heritage we’re lucky to share.

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) has been a proud advocate for tree protection for over 70 years. Since 1982, we’ve recorded more than 2,500 tree listings across Victoria—ensuring their stories are not forgotten, and their significance is formally recognised.

Question & Enquires

For competition enquiries email trusttrees@nattrust.com.au, for media enquiries email media@nattrust.com.au.

More Significant Trees

Search the Register

Search to find your favourite tree, or nominate a tree to the Register.

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) is the state’s leading advocate for the protection of trees, celebrating the benefits they provide to our communities. Since 1982 the National Trust has classified over 20,000 trees in the National Trust Significant Tree Register.

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2024 Tree of the Year

Mount Fatigue Giant

The towering Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans), known as the “Mount Fatigue Giant” in Gunyah (South Gippsland) was voted the 2024 Victorian Tree of the Year.

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