The National Trust of Australia has opened nominations for the 2023 Victorian Tree of the Year.
Coinciding with Planet Ark’s National Tree Day, the annual celebration highlights the importance of trees and their invaluable contributions to our communities.
Since 1982, more than 20,000 trees in 1,200 locations across the state have been classified and registered on the National Trusts of Australia Register of Significant Trees.
To be eligible for Victorian Tree of the Year, a tree must be on the register.
Nominations can be submitted online via the National Trust’s website at www.nationaltrust.org.au/treeoftheyear.
Nominations should include details about the tree and why it deserves the title of 2023 Victorian Tree of the Year.
The deadline for all nominations is Tuesday, August 29, 2023.
The National Trust’s Significant Tree Expert Committee will review the nominations received and curate a shortlist of nine to 12 exceptional trees.
Voting for the Victorian Tree of the Year will be open online on Monday, October 16, until Sunday, October 29, 2023.
National Trust of Australia Victoria chief executive Simon Ambrose is calling on Victorians to get involved and encourages everyone to nominate their favourite tree.
“Join the Trust in celebrating the remarkable trees that grace our beautiful state of Victoria. Let us honour the majesty, significance, and the incredible contributions Victorian trees make to our environment and communities,” he said.
“Previous winners have included The Royal Oak, one of the largest English Oaks in the state and the oldest tree in the Castlemaine Botanic Gardens, and the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour.”
The Victorian Tree of the Year contest aims to raise awareness of the conservation of the state’s natural heritage, and highlight the many benefits trees provide to our culture and way of life.
The winner of Victorian Tree of the Year will be officially announced on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
Details: www.nationaltrust.org.au/treeoftheyear.
