Geelong Ginkgo Named Victoria’s Tree of the Year: 20 Meters and a Popular Wedding Backdrop

TVS News AI redaktionell betreut präsentiert Geelong-Ginkgo wird Victorias Baum des Jahres: 20 Meter und Brautschau-Kulisse.

A ginkgo in Geelong has been named Victoria’s Tree of the Year. According to The Guardian, the tree, grown from a seed more than 160 years ago, stands in the city’s botanical gardens and, at 20 meters, is the largest ginkgo biloba in the state—and possibly in all of Australia.

For many couples, the deciding factor has had less to do with the record than with what the tree has already witnessed: Numerous weddings take place beneath its branches, and its limbs form the backdrop for countless photographs. For that reason, National Trust of Victoria highlighted “countless local love stories” in its citation for the award.

The honor combines the appeal of a well-known location with a clear message: urban green spaces must be protected. What does this mean for you? You can experience the award-winning tree on a visit to Geelong and discover how a single tree became a living focal point for many personal stories.

Why the Geelong Ginkgo Carries So Many Stories

The tree was grown from a seed more than 160 years ago. It is therefore a popular destination not only because of its size, but also because of its long history. According to The Guardian, the ginkgo is the park’s most popular wedding location.

Its branches form the backbone of countless wedding photographs—a motif that links numerous local love stories to a visible place. This is precisely what the award recognizes: The tree is honored not only for its age and dimensions, but also for its significance to the local community.

At 20 meters tall, the Geelong Ginkgo is also the largest ginkgo biloba in Victoria and, according to The Guardian, possibly the largest in Australia. Its size makes a visit impressive, while its role in everyday life remains just as relevant: Many people use the tree as a regular backdrop for one of the most important days of their lives.

The Award Brings the Protection of Green Spaces Back Into Focus

National Trust of Victoria selected the tree not only because of its popularity. The organization explicitly connects the honor with the call to protect green spaces, bringing an issue that extends beyond Geelong to the fore.

Especially parks and botanical gardens are places where recreation, photography, and memories come together. In the case of the award-winning ginkgo, this is particularly clear: The public green space is simultaneously a favorite location, a wedding backdrop, and a natural monument.

Visitors to Geelong can therefore experience the tree in more than one way. You can admire its impressive dimensions, observe the wedding settings in person, and experience the park as protected green space. The award reveals just how much significance a single tree can gain within a city.

What the Choice Means for Visitors and Locals

For locals, the ginkgo is a familiar landmark in the botanical gardens. For visitors, the award also makes it an unmistakable destination. The more than 160-year-old tree brings together nature, city history, and personal memories in a single place.

Its status as the largest ginkgo in Victoria is tangible. More important still is the story behind it: According to The Guardian, the same tree helped shape countless local love stories. It is precisely this combination of nature, use, and memory that makes the honor understandable.

You can find more about the topic in our About Us section as part of our nature lovers’ encyclopedia. Additional nature guides and travel tips can help you put places like this into context.

“Countless local love stories”

Conclusion: A Tree That Connects Nature and Memories

The selection of the Geelong Ginkgo shows just how much a single tree can represent. It is 20 meters tall, at least 160 years old, the largest of its kind in Victoria, and a familiar wedding backdrop. National Trust of Victoria uses this significance as an opportunity to draw attention to the protection of urban green spaces.

For you, the excursion is worth making twice over: You get a botanical sight to see and can discover for yourself why the tree is so popular among couples. If you are in the region, the botanical gardens and their ginkgo certainly belong on your list.