‘Backdrop for countless local love stories’: Geelong gingko named Victorian tree of the year

National trust of Victoria award celebrates much-loved arboreal icons while calling for protection of green spaces

For more than 160 years, a humble ginkgo tree raised from seed in Geelong’s botanic gardens has been the backdrop to “countless local love stories”. Standing beneath it is the most popular spot to get married at the park, its branches forming the backdrop of many wedding photos.

Now, in addition to being the largest ginkgo biloba in the state – and possibly Australia – at a whopping 20 metres tall, it has a new claim to fame. The much-adored Geelong icon has been crowned Victoria’s tree of the year.

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria), which runs the awards, announced on Tuesday that Geelong’s ginkgo beat eight other finalists to the 2026 title, receiving 27% of 4,435 public votes cast. Second place went to the smooth bark apple myrtle in Prahran, while Apollo Bay’s myrtle beech was voted third.

To be eligible, trees have to be listed on the National Trust significant tree register, which recognises 2,500 trees in Victoria for their cultural, scientific, and historic value. More than 40 were nominated this year, then narrowed down to nine by a panel of 12 experts and arboriculturists.

The executive manager of gardens and landscapes at the National Trust Victoria, Justin Buckley, said the ginkgo was a “very popular winner”.

“It’s a really special tree, and very well loved in that area,” he said.

The ginkgo was planted in 1859, just two decades after the township of Geelong was formally established. The seeds were transported from China, rumoured to have been delivered by a ship’s captain making a stop at Geelong’s port.