A ginkgo biloba planted in Geelong Botanic Gardens in 1859 has been named the National Trust’s Victorian Tree of the Year, ABC News reports. The 167-year-old tree took 27 per cent of the 4,435 votes cast by the public during September and October.
Standing around 20 metres tall, it is the biggest ginkgo in Victoria. Ginkgos are often called living fossils: the species has changed little over hundreds of millions of years, and its fan-shaped leaves turn a brilliant gold in autumn. The female trees are also famous for the pungent smell of their fruit.
The National Trust used the win to make the case for stronger safeguards, calling for trees on its significant tree register to be given automatic legal protection, so that heritage trees like this one can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Source: ABC News