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.

Related:

• A photo of a very large cherrybark oak is featured on the Kentucky Champion Trees website. Imagine standing beside this giant!
• An interesting newspaper article about the Illinois champion bur oak

Technorati tags: big trees, champion trees, giant trees