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 the one that tickles your leaves.
"At last, trees are given the same respect as the birds that perch in them!" says Professor Tim Entwisle, botanist and chief executive of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
"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."
ABC nature journalist Ann Jones says the plan is for Australians to get to know our endemic trees.
"We'd love people to take this opportunity to learn more about their local tree life and tell us their three favourites," Dr Jones said
The 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 the 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) - from south-west WA
- Macadamia tree (Macadamia integrifolia) - grows naturally in the coastal rainforests on the Qld/NSW border
- Mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) - stands tall in forests of Victoria and Tasmania.
For more about each tree and to vote for your favourite, visit www.abc.net.au/trees.
Voting is open until August 11. The list of eligible trees will then cut back to the top 10, which will be announced on August 12. The winner will be declared on August 26 on Radio National and Gardening Australia.
Australia's Favourite Tree is the online project for National Science Week 2022, undertaken by ABC Science with funding through the federal government's Inspiring Australia strategy.
National Science Week is Australia's annual celebration of science and technology.
Running each August, it features more than 1000 events around Australia, including those delivered by universities, schools, research institutions, libraries, museums and science centres.
Here are just some of offerings on the table:
- NSW: Mary Ellen Weber: To boldly go. Former NASA astronaut Dr Mary Ellen Weber will share recollections from an outstanding career and offer her insights into the "new space" era of commercial space.
- ACT: Science Friction. A free screening of a documentary about scientists who get misrepresented by the media.
- VIC: Saturn Up Close. Stargaze at the sixth planet from the sun in opposition - its closest approach to Earth.
- TAS: Learn How to Eavesdrop on Animals. Listen in on the secret lives of bats and bitterns amd learn about the gadgets scientists use.
- SA: Quaffing Quandongs! Enjoy at a cultural cook-up at the Transcontinental Hotel in Port Pirie.
- WA: Cleaning with Chemistry Workshop. Discover natural alternatives to toxic and expensive cleaners.
- NT: What's in a Name? Exploring Latin as a living language. Animals and plants are named using a system called Latin binomials (meaning "two names"). Learn some of the oddest ones.
- QLD: Butterfly Botany: The Science of Butterfly Food. Get the lowdown on caterpillar tucker and information such as how to feed the insects.
For the full program, click HERE.
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