Located along Oak Dene Crt the London Plane tree, which stands at more than 25m tall, is on the significant tree register.
Alan Higgs and Gillian Banks, who own the tree, said it was planted in 1907 and had a rich history.
“Our tree was part of a large garden design scheme for the owners of the property, Dr John Cam and Mrs Sophie Wight,” Mr Higgs said.
“The garden designer was Charles Bogue Luffman. Luffman had written the first book on garden design in Australia – Principles of Gardening for Australians – published in 1903.
“The shortlisted tree has a companion to the south and together they formed ‘bookends’ for the east elevation of the Wights’ house, built at the same time as the garden. Then and now they provide beautiful shade in the hot conditions of Kyabram.”
With the Oak Dene tree nominated in the past, it’s a competition that Ms Banks has long appreciated.
“The purpose of the contest is to raise awareness and inspire Victorians to conserve our natural heritage and learn about the benefits provided by significant trees,” Ms Banks said.
“This tree on private property could easily have been chopped down because it’s so close to the house. But here we are, nearly 120 years later and it’s still there. The children have claimed it. People have stood under there for photographs all those years. It’s wonderful.”
Ms Banks said it held a cherished place in the family with plenty of memories associated.
“It’s in every family photo. There’s the tree. It’s wonderful. It’s history, it’s our cultural history and it’s just that we look at trees sometimes and we look straight through them,” she said.
Ms Banks says she feels a lot of concern about the idea that people are tearing down a lot of these older trees.
“A lot of trees that are on the significant register are old and therefore they’re at risk and if people become aware of them and their history and, not only the cultural history, but just the general horticultural history, it’s nice,” she said.
If you would like to vote for Kyabram’s tree then you have until midnight this Sunday. You can vote through the website www.nationaltrust.org.au/treeoftheyear/
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