Australia's most loved tree, according to a major 2022 ABC poll, is the River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), celebrated for its iconic gnarled beauty, deep roots in the arid landscape, and vital role in providing habitat, winning out over other favorites like the Snow Gum and Moreton Bay Fig. It's a quintessentially Australian tree, found across the continent, that artists and people deeply connect with as a symbol of resilience.
The 17 Most Popular Native Australian Trees
Australians have chosen the river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) as their favourite native tree in ABC's national poll. “The river red gum is the perfect Australian tree. No two trees are the same, and each has its own personality.
Australia's national floral emblem is the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha Benth). When in flower, the golden wattle displays the national colours, green and gold. The golden wattle is an evergreen, tall shrub or small tree. It can grow to 8 metres tall and lives up to 12-15 years.
The oak is one of the world's most recognized and respected trees. Known for its strength, long life, and wide canopy, it symbolizes resilience and stability across cultures. Oaks can live for hundreds of years and grow to massive sizes, making them a favorite in forests and front yards.
Here are some of the most beautiful trees in the world.
10 best trees to attract birds and other wildlife
Now, a team of researchers have taken this work a step further, turning to one of Australia's most iconic and beloved trees, the eucalypts – to understand how its leaf sizes have changed with climate over millions of years.
Australian native trees include iconic varieties like Eucalyptus (Gum), Banksia, Wattle (Acacia), and Bottlebrush (Callistemon), known for their drought tolerance, unique flowers, and ability to support local wildlife, with many adapted to Australia's diverse climates, from rainforests to arid zones. Other popular types are Lilly Pilly, Grevillea, She-oak, and Illawarra Flame Tree, offering vibrant colors and foliage for low-maintenance, sustainable gardens.
The bark of most acacias is rich in tannin, which is used in tanning and in dyes, inks, pharmaceuticals, and other products. Several Australian acacias are valuable sources of tannin, among them the golden wattle (A. pycnantha), the green wattle (A. decurrens), and the silver wattle (A.
For blocking neighbors, the best trees are fast-growing evergreens like Arborvitae (especially 'Green Giant' & 'Emerald Green'), Leyland Cypress, and Italian Cypress, offering dense, year-round foliage for quick, effective privacy screens, though consider alternatives like Holly, Bamboo, or Ficus for variety, noise reduction, or smaller spaces, always checking local climate suitability.
Wollemi pine. The Wollemi pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest trees. Only 46 adult trees and 43 juveniles remain in the wild. Belonging to a 200 million year-old plant family, this critically endangered Australian species is considered a global treasure.
Timber! The world's 7 most famous trees
For driveways in Australia, the best trees offer narrow, upright growth (like Pencil Pines, Ginkgo biloba 'Lemonlime Spire', or Lilly Pilly) for tight spaces, seasonal colour (Ornamental Pears, Maples, Crepe Myrtles) for a grand entrance, or native options (Waterhousia, Hakea, Agonis) for local appeal, focusing on non-invasive roots and low maintenance for a beautiful, lasting impression.
The General Sherman Tree is the largest in the world at 52,508 cubic feet (1,487 cubic meters). The General Grant Tree is the second largest at 46,608 cubic feet (1,320 cubic meters). It is difficult to appreciate the size of the giant sequoias because neighboring trees are so large.
If we define a "tree" as a single stemmed woody plant at least two metres tall, which is what most people would identify as a tree, then the oldest in Australia could be a Huon Pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii) in Tasmania, the oldest stem of which is up to 2,000 years old.
Fast Growing Native Australian Trees
There's no single "most beautiful" plant, as it's subjective, but popular contenders include the iconic red Waratah, the vibrant, bird-attracting Grevillea (spider flower) with its diverse colours, the golden, national flower Golden Wattle, the unique paw-like Kangaroo Paw, and the soft, silvery foliage of Cushion Bush, with many others like Banksias and Callistemons also celebrated for their distinct beauty and ecological value.
The Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) is Australia's national tree and floral emblem, and it was officially declared this in 1988.
The Great Wisteria
This 150-year-old botanical wonder, often called “the most beautiful in the world,” transforms every spring into a breathtaking canopy of purple blooms. Visitors stroll beneath its sprawling branches, marveling at nature's artistry.
River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
As a member of the Eucalyptus family, the River Red Gum is one of the most popular trees around. This white or cream-coloured trunk tree produces flowers and fruits. Its bark is often composed of rough slabs.
10 Favorite Flowering Trees to Add to Your Yard in 2022
Eucalyptus consumes more water than other trees. That is why it often called 'enemy of the environment'. The water level goes down across the are of Eucalyptus plantation.
Types like American Holly and Dwarf Yaupon Holly are popular choices to plant near houses because they stay small and don't have roots that spread too much. People often use holly trees as hedges or to decorate around their home's foundation because they grow thick leaves.
The tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a rapidly growing deciduous tree native to China that has become a widespread invasive species across North America.