November 4th, 2025Tree of the Year at Kingston

The Algerian oak (quercus canariensis) in Kingston has been named the 2025 Victorian Tree of the Year, securing more than 40 per cent of the vote.

Estimated to be over 130 years old, this remarkable tree stands 16 metres tall with a canopy spanning 31 metres, and occupies the only piece of public land in Kingston.
Currently under threat of removal to make way for transmission lines, the tree, already on the Significant Trees Register, has become the focus of strong community-led efforts to secure its retention for future generations.
The removal of the oak would not only destroy the tree itself, but also threaten the surrounding ecosystem – including native vegetation and species such as platypus, frogs, and other wildlife that inhabit the nearby Birchs Creek Nature Reserve.
While winning the title of Victorian Tree of the Year does not confer any legal protection, the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) says the competition highlights the vulnerabilities faced by significant trees across the state – many of which lack consistent protection under current planning laws.
“Our planning system does not adequately protect trees, even when their significance is well-documented,” said Justin Buckley, executive manager of Gardens and Landscapes at the National Trust.
“While we welcome the state government’s recent planning amendment on canopy trees, many significant trees still face the risk of removal. At a time when our communities need more trees, canopy cover and green space, we must strengthen protections rather than allow further loss.”
Although heritage-listed buildings are protected by law, trees – even those recognised on public registers, remain exposed to removal and development pressures.
While an independent environmental assessment is underway, the National Trust hopes that public recognition through this award will influence decision-makers and help secure the tree’s future.
Kingston resident and nominator of the tree, Jeremy Harper said winning the title of National Trust Tree of the Year was a great honour.

“It recognises both this magnificent old tree and our community’s commitment to protecting it. Kingston already has one of Victoria’s finest Avenues of Honour, and now we can proudly say we also have Victoria’s finest tree of 2025.”
Jeremy said to receive 40.5 per cent of the vote was fantastic. “We had a pretty good feeling because it’s a magnificent tree and we were the only one of the nine that was under threat. On the other hand, we’re a small town,” he said.
Jeremy said while winning did not give the tree legal protection “you’d think that would have some impact”.
“I suppose they (AusNet) might have thought there won’t be any objections over public land because it’s not a private landowner. But there are community objections because the whole community owns the land.”
Jeremy said he was supportive of bringing renewable energy to Melbourne.
“I wonder now if they will consider a completely different route (such as) the south side of the Western Highway on existing easements, or going underground.
“We just don’t know. In the meantime, we’re just rapt that we’ve won Tree of the Year and we think that will be a significant factor in preserving it.
“I mean, who wouldn’t want to save a beautiful tree? It wasn’t as though we were backing some controversial thing. It’s just a beautiful tree.”