Do you love the water-bulging boab or the towering mountain ash, the world’s tallest flowering tree? Are you intrigued by the carbon capturing power of grey mangrove ecosystems or the ‘living fossil’ story of the Wollemi pine? The search is on to find Australia’s favourite tree. This National Science Week, ABC Science wants people to go online to explore the wonder and science of the plant kingdom, and vote for their favourite tree.
“At last, trees are given the same respect as the birds that perch in them!” Professor Tim Entwisle, botanist and Director and Chief Executive of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria commented  “This is a celebration of the many roles native trees play in our lives – from home and habitat for wildlife through to the clean air and oxygen we all need to survive. Essential to life, and beautiful too.”
“Move over sequoias and Christmas trees, we want Australians to get to know our endemic trees, because they’re anything but Plane,” ABC’s Dr Ann Jones commented “We’d love people to take this opportunity to learn more about their local tree life and tell us their three favourites.”
The poll opens on Monday 1 August. A shortlist of 10 finalists will be announced on Friday 12 August, and the winner on Friday August 26 on Radio National and Gardening Australia.For more about each tree and to vote for your favourite.
ABC’s resident tree-lovers have long-listed 33 species in consultation with horticulturalists. Among the contenders are:

• Illawarra flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius)—native to Australia’s eastern coast
• Quandong (Santalum acuminatum)—found widely in the deserts in central and southern Australia
• Huon pine (Lagarstrobos franklinii)—from Tasmania’s rainforests and swamps
• Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor)—of south-west Western Australia
• Macadamia tree (Macadamia integrifolia)—growing naturally in the coastal rainforests of the QLD-NSW border region
• Mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans)—standing tall in forests of Victoria and Tasmania.