Geelong ginkgo biloba tree wins Victorian Tree of the Year 2026

Consensus Summary

A 167-year-old ginkgo biloba tree in Geelong’s botanic gardens has been crowned Victoria’s Tree of the Year 2026, securing 27% of 4,435 public votes. Standing 20 metres tall, the tree is not only the largest of its kind in Victoria but also a beloved local landmark, particularly for weddings. The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) announced the winner, highlighting the ginkgo’s cultural and historical significance. Both the Guardian and ABC emphasize its unique stalactite-like growths and its status as a 'living fossil,' dating back to the Jurassic period between 174 to 161 million years ago.

The ginkgo’s origins trace back to 1859, when it was planted from seeds allegedly delivered by a ship’s captain visiting Geelong’s port. This was two decades after the township was formally established, and its survival reflects generations of care from botanic garden workers. The tree’s female variety produces fruit with a strong smell, and its ancient lineage—surviving the 1945 atomic blast in Hiroshima—adds to its symbolic weight. The Guardian notes that ginkgos were once thought extinct in the wild before being revived, while ABC underscores their resilience as a species.

Key figures in the story include Justin Buckley, the National Trust’s executive manager of gardens and landscapes, who praised the ginkgo as a 'very popular winner' and 'really special tree.' The Guardian quotes Buckley calling it 'well loved in that area,' while ABC describes it as a 'botanical oddity.' Geelong City Councillor Elise Wilkinson also highlighted its role as a 'stunning backdrop for countless wedding photographs,' reflecting its deep community ties. Both outlets agree the tree’s victory underscores the need for greater protection of significant trees, akin to heritage buildings.

While both sources align on the ginkgo’s age, height, and voting results, they differ slightly in framing its historical context. The Guardian focuses on the tree’s role in local love stories and the urban greening challenges, noting over 17.9 hectares of tree canopy lost in inner Melbourne over the past decade. ABC, however, emphasizes the tree’s global significance, comparing its planting era to events like the absence of the Melbourne Cup and the early days of Ned Kelly’s life. The Guardian also details the Victorian government’s recent but limited tree protection measures, while ABC highlights the National Trust’s push for automatic statutory protection for registered trees.

The articles converge on the urgency of preserving mature trees, with both outlets citing the National Trust’s 44-year-old register of significant trees. The Guardian warns that current protections are 'quite limited,' allowing significant trees to be removed without permits, while ABC stresses the need for future generations to inherit such landmarks. Both agree the Tree of the Year competition, established in 2016, serves as a platform to advocate for stronger safeguards, though the Guardian’s focus on recent canopy loss and the ABC’s historical comparisons offer distinct angles on the issue’s stakes.