2024 Victorian Tree of the Year – Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans). Credit: Tricky Tree Works

The Mount Fatigue Giant, a Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans) in Gunyah (South Gippsland) has been voted as Victoria’s most beloved tree of 2024.

The Victorian Tree of the Year is an annual online contest which celebrates trees included on the National Trust Register of Significant Trees. The contest raises awareness for the conservation of Victoria’s natural heritage and provides an opportunity for local communities to raise the profile of their significant trees and to celebrate the contributions they make to their local heritage and identity.

Standing tall at 46 metres and 18.85 metres wide, the Mount Fatigue Giant located on the lands of the Gunaikurnai People in Gunyah (South Gippsland), was officially classified by the National Trust in 2018. This giant is one of a unique collection of large old-growth trees in eastern Victoria that are listed on the National Trust’s Register of Significant Trees.

In celebration of this year’s Victorian Tree of the Year, we will explore some of the reasons why the mighty Mountain Ash is so remarkable and worthy of protection.

The Tallest Flowering Plant in the World

The Mountain Ash holds the title of being the tallest flowering plant globally. These giants can reach heights of over 100 metres, with some historic specimens even exceeding this measurement. Their sheer size makes them one of the tallest tree species overall, second only to the coastal redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) of North America. The Mountain Ash’s towering stature is not just impressive to look at; it serves a crucial role in the forest ecosystem.

A Carbon Sequestration Powerhouse

Mountain Ash forests are among the most carbon-dense ecosystems in the world. Thanks to their great heights, wood density, and growth rate, these trees capture and store vast amounts of carbon dioxide, making them essential in the fight against climate change. They store carbon not only in their trunks and leaves but also in the soil. This powerful capacity for carbon sequestration makes Mountain Ash forests vital “carbon sinks,” helping to mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases.

Rapid Growth

Mountain Ash trees are some of the fastest-growing trees on the planet, adding more than a metre in height each year in ideal conditions. This rapid growth means that they reach maturity relatively quickly, establishing dense canopies that provide shade, shelter, and habitat for numerous other species. Their ability to grow at such a rate also makes them invaluable in reforestation projects, playing a significant role in ecological succession and maintaining healthy, biodiverse forests.

Fire and Recruitment

In the fire-prone landscapes of Victoria, the Mountain Ash has developed a unique relationship with fire. While many eucalypts can regenerate after a fire, Mountain Ash trees depend on their seeds for the survival of the species. The Mountain Ash is particularly interesting in that it does not release its seeds (stored in the fruits [gumnuts]) attached to the canopy until a fire has passed through. Furthermore, when fires move through a forest, the fires create open spaces by destroying leafy and woody vegetation which would otherwise not allow much sunlight to penetrate to the soil.  After a fire, the soil is finally exposed to sunlight creating ideal conditions for the seeds to germinate and grow. If fires did not pass through the forests, then the Mountain Ash seeds would not be released or germinate, and the forests would be dominated by other overstory trees eventually after the mature Mountain Ashes die. This is an interesting example of how this tree has evolved to depend on fire.

A Biodiversity Hotspot

Mountain Ash forests are rich in biodiversity, providing essential habitats for numerous wildlife species, some of which are unique to this ecosystem. The towering trees offer a home to the endangered Leadbeater’s possum, a species that relies on mature Mountain Ash trees with hollows for shelter. In addition to the Leadbeater’s possum, these forests support a variety of arboreal marsupials, birds, insects, other plants and fungi. By preserving Mountain Ash forests, we protect this intricate ecosystem and the diverse species that depend on it.

The Mount Fatigue Giant. Credit: Tricky Tree Works

A Symbol of Natural Heritage

Beyond their ecological contributions, Mountain Ash trees are symbolic of Australia’s unique environment. As climate change and deforestation threaten the world’s forests, Mountain Ash trees stand as a powerful reminder of what is at stake. The Mount Fatigue Giant has endured fire events and logging threats, both challenges that have historically impacted the South Gippsland region forests. This tree and others are a call to action, inspiring us to protect and cherish significant landscapes.

As we continue to face environmental challenges, protecting these towering giants becomes more urgent than ever, we can ensure that future generations will have the chance to experience the awe of standing beneath these giants and witness the resilience of nature at its best.