Matt Coyne, Senior Arborist, says he loves the mountain ash.
"I am in complete awe of the size of these trees in the wild! I struggle to comprehend how something so massive started off its life as a tiny seedling," he says.
Horticulturist Jarryd Kelly says his pick is the Illawarra flame tree, which is iconic in NSW, particularly the Illawarra/South coast region.
"I find Kurrajong’s really interesting. They are distinctive, unique and beautiful. They are also deciduous which is unique in Australian native plants," he says.
Lesley Neuhold, Senior Nursery Horticulturist at the Australian Botanic Garden, votes for the Gungurru (eucalyptus caesia) because it is very difficult to grow in Sydney due to the climate, but when we grow it successfully it rewards us with it’s beautiful simplicity, while horticulturist labourer Robert Navarro says he loves the Avicennia marina, or grey mangrove, because of the aerial roots they develop.
The eucalyptus caesia.
Ryan Newett, Supervisor for Production Horticulture at the Australian Botanic Garden, even wrote an acrostic poem about why he loves trees and why they're important!
Look amazing; could be height, girth, the intricate branch/root structure, flowers or leaf colour
Oh boy do I love consuming the amazing produce trees provide: most nuts, lots of fruit … pancakes with
maple syrup… nom nom
Value – research has shown that property prices in tree lined streets are more valuable than those without trees
Energy efficiency; the right trees keep houses warmer in winter - cooler in summer; you always look for a tree to park under in summer!
Identifiable – before ‘maps’, trees were often the statement in a landscape - helping navigate and direct
Make us feel happier – reduce our stress levels – we feel happier when we are among the trees (why else would we ‘get back to nature’)
Prevent soil erosion caused by wind or water, this erosion of topsoil that could pollute waterways with catastrophic consequences
Oxygenate the atmosphere so we can breathe - otherwise we would not survive, our planet would be as desolate as all of the other known planets where we are yet to find life
Resilient – we prune, lop, pave for comfort and convenience … and trees often find a way to survive when most organisms would not.
Take Carbon Dioxide and other toxic gasses out of the air – sometimes to their own detriment
Are sources for our food, materials, and shelter
Natural habitat for all our wonderful flora and fauna – where there are more trees, we have more diversity think (jungle or thick bush).
They are nature’s ‘ninja warrior’ course for kids (and adults), they keep us keep fit – and doctors in business
Vote for your favourite in the
ABC's poll.