Tree Notes is about trees -- especially native trees, trees for wildlife, and trees in history.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Is your big tree a champion?

National Register of Big Trees



Is your tree big enough to be a champion of its species? The American Forests National Register of Big Trees website can help you find out.

American Forests, a non-profit organization devoted to preserving forestlands, has been documenting the largest-known American trees since 1940. They publish a biennial National Register of Big Trees. You'll find the current Big Trees register, directions for measuring a big tree, nomination forms, and much more at the Big Trees section of the American Forests website.

Even if your big tree isn't a national champion (or co-champion), perhaps it's a champion big tree for your state.

It is interesting that some species have never had a nomination for a champion big tree. A few examples of species without a champion: large northern pin oak, bigflower pawpaw, and Canada plum.

I read in a newspaper article that nominations for the next edition of the National Register of Big Trees will close on August 1, 2007. I wasn't able to verify that date on the Big Trees website. On the contrary, the website says:

Additions to the species list for the American Forests National Register of Big Trees should be submitted with supporting materials to American Forests for review by the Big Tree Committee by January 1st of every odd year. New species editions will be evaluated by both the committee and experts and added to the official species list no later than April 1st.

Source: National Register of Big Trees: Frequently Asked Questions
At any rate, don't delay! Measure your big tree! If nothing else, it will satisfy your curiosity.

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Enrich your life with the study of trees.

"The power to recognize trees at a glance without examining their leaves or flowers or fruit as they are seen, for example, from the car-window during a railroad journey, can only be acquired by studying them as they grow under all possible conditions over wide areas of territory. Such an attainment may not have much practical value, but once acquired it gives to the possessor a good deal of pleasure which is denied to less fortunate travelers."

Charles Sprague Sargent (1841-1927)

Print references I frequently consult

Benvie, Sam. Encyclopedia of North American Trees. Buffalo, NY: Firefly, 2000.

Brockman, C. Frank. Trees of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. Ed. Herbert S. Zim. New York: Golden, 1986.

Cliburn, Jerry, and Ginny Clomps. A Key to Missouri Trees in Winter: An Identification Guide. Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri, 1980.

Collingwood, G. H., Warren David Brush, and Devereux Butcher. Knowing Your Trees. Washington: American Forestry Association, 1978.

Dirr, Michael. Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: an Illustrated Encyclopedia. Portland, Or.: Timber, 1997.

Elias, Thomas S. The Complete Trees of North America; Field Guide and Natural History. New York: Book Division, Times Mirror Magazines, 1980.

Grimm, William Carey. The Book of Trees;. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole, 1962.

Hightshoe, Gary L. Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines for Urban and Rural America: a Planting Design Manual for Environmental Designers. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1988.

Little, Elbert L. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees. New York: Chanticleer, 1996.

Martin, Alexander C., Herbert S. Zim, and Arnold L. Nelson. American Wildlife and Plants. New York: McGraw Hill, 1951.

Mitchell, Alan F., and David More. The Trees of North America. New York, NY: Facts On File Publications, 1987.

Randall, Charles E. Enjoying Our Trees. Washington: American Forestry Association, 1969.

Settergren, Carl D., and R. E. McDermott. Trees of Missouri. Columbia: University Extension, 1995.

Sternberg, Guy, and James W. Wilson. Native Trees for North American Landscapes: from the Atlantic to the Rockies. Portland: Timber, 2004.

Wharton, Mary E., and Roger W. Barbour. Trees and Shrubs of Kentucky. Lexington: University of Kentucky, 1973.

Wyman, Donald. Trees for American Gardens. New York: Macmillan, 1965.

Photos and text copyright © 2006-2013 by Genevieve L. Netz. All rights reserved. Do not republish without written permission. My e-mail address is gnetz51@gmail.com