A decades-old eucalyptus, a beloved elm that has become a cherished landmark for thousands of commuters, and a rare ginkgo tree once thought to be extinct in the wild are among the finalists for Victoria’s Tree of the Year. The competition, organized by the National Trust of Victoria, began in 2016 to raise awareness about the importance of trees in the state and to promote their protection. To qualify, trees must be listed on the National Trust’s Significant Tree Register, which recognizes up to 10,000 trees for their cultural, scientific, and historical value. This year, the competition received more than 40 nominations, which were narrowed down to nine finalists by a panel of 12 experts and arboriculturists. Justin Buckley, the National Trust’s executive manager of gardens, noted that many of the nominated trees have been part of people’s lives for generations. “People often remember playing under them or climbing them with their children,” he said. Buckley emphasized that the winning tree is not always the largest or most visually striking, but often the one with the strongest community support. Among the finalists is a myrtle beech in Apollo Bay, which may have formed from two or three trees growing together, creating a unique structure that visitors can walk through. Another notable entry is a flooded gum in Carlton North, likely planted in the 1960s or 1970s. Though these trees are not native to the area, they were planted in the 1930s as an experiment to see if conifers could help purify drinking water in a landscape that had been heavily cleared. Their towering height and impressive presence make them a local pride. Also in the running is a ginkgo tree planted in 1859 in Geelong Botanic Gardens, making it over 167 years old. Ginkgos, sometimes called maidenhairs, were once believed to be extinct in the wild but have since been revived. Other finalists include an Indian bean tree in Castlemaine, known for its seasonal displays of white flowers in spring and a dense green canopy in summer, and a rare apple myrtle in Prahran, the largest of its kind in cultivation. A Canary Island pine, planted by 1867 by Jacob Bernstein, a member of Ballarat’s Hebrew community, is also a finalist and is the second-oldest tree among the entries. The competition has become the National Trust’s most successful advocacy campaign, raising awareness about the value of trees in Victoria. Buckley said that with increasing urban development and housing, trees are under more threat than ever. “Protection of trees is as important as it has ever been,” he said. Voting for the competition will close at midnight on 22 October, with the winner to be announced on 27 October.