300-year-old Tree of the Year faces removal for road link

The 20-metre-tall tree won 1045 of the 3669 votes to take out the title over 10 other significant trees.

National Trust chief executive Simon Ambrose said the Victorian Tree of the Year contest aims to raise awareness of the conservation of the state's natural heritage and the benefits trees provide.

"It's been great to see the public get involved in voting this year," Mr Ambrose said.

"We have heard many amazing stories about local trees that have truly captured the hearts of communities."

The river red gum is located on the corner of Bridge Street and Manningham Road in Bulleen.

Originally saved by a local resident when the rest of the block was cleared to make way for the service station, the tree faces a new threat in the form of the North East Link Project.

The National Trust will be calling on the North East Link Authority to consider all options to save the tree.

"We are pleased to see the community get behind the river red gum and celebrate the landmark that it has become in the local area," Mr Ambrose said.

The 2019 runner up was the 'King Billy' Snow Gum located in Parks Victoria's Alpine National Park at an altitude of 1600 metres.