If you read my blog at all, you can tell I love trees. Big trees or small trees, they are such amazing feats of nature. I think it is amazing to a walk past a tree that could be 200 plus years old. There are actually data bases and organizations that certify, record, and list these specimens. Read on to find out more.
Locate Trees via National or State Registry
There are numerous registries for big trees. All list the recorded trees in their area. They also have detailed directions on how to nominate a tree for their registry. Some have a blog, and many have ways to help or volunteer.
Big Trees of Virginia is easy to navigate with lots of great photos.
Champion Big Trees of Virginia 2019-2020 update is an excellent resource from Virginia Tech.
Champion Trees of Pennsylvania lists the exact location of the trees registered in Pennsylvania.
Maryland Big Tree Program is currently all volunteer based.
American Forests – The 2020 National Register of Champion Trees lists trees from all over the country. It has a searchable database.
If you really love huge trees, you might want to invest in this book. The Remarkable Trees of Virginia and Washington, D.C. Project looks like a great coffee table book!
How to Measure a Tree
Big trees are rated by a point system.
Thanks to Fred Besley, a forester in Maryland, we have a formula to measure trees. The one he created is still used today.
Total points = circumference in inches + height in feet + ¼ of the average crown spread in feet. In order to guestimate points, first you will need to identify the type of tree, and find a long tape measure. Second, you have to find 4.5 feet from the ground. This is where you measure the circumference. Third, measure the canopy spread. This is the distance the canopy covers over the ground. A 100 ft tape measure is necessary to get an accurate measurement. Next, estimate the height. This is very difficult to do for a big tall tree. Finally, put all of the numbers in the formula. If the result is 200 - 400 points, contact someone in your state for a precise measurement.
All of the websites for registering these trees provide instructions for measuring. Many have volunteers that will go to the site to measure the tree. The National Register of Champion Trees Measuring Guidelines Handbook is a technical guide to tree measurement.