Green Horizons

Got a big tree on your farm or forested land? Know of one on someone’s else’s property? Honor this mighty species by nominating it for the National Register of Big Trees, sponsored by American Forests. American Forests has documented the largest known specimens of every native and naturalized tree in the U.S. since 1940. The largest tree of its species in the country is named the National Champion.

Not only do champion trees stand as a source of inspiration, they provide wildlife habitat, shade and environmental benefits. The 2006-07 American Forests National Register of Big Trees features two American elms, a 192-foot tall Jeffrey pine and a Mississippi baldcypress with a 55-foot girth among its 870 trees in the listing. The General Sherman giant sequoia is again the reigning champion, recognized as the world’s largest living thing, boasting an 85-foot circumference, a 107-foot crown spread, and a height of 274 feet.

Nominate a Missouri tree
The Missouri Department of Conservation Forestry Division works with American Forests to assign Missouri’s nominated trees a point value. This value is based upon a nation-wide formula that assesses a tree’s height, crown spread and trunk size. The formula adds the circumference in inches (measured at a point of 4.5 feet above the ground) to the height in feet to one-fourth the average crown spread. Missouri’s largest known living tree is an American sycamore with a score of 457, a tree that also holds the largest circumference -- 333 inches. The greatest crown spread (200 feet) belongs to a different sycamore.

Missouri State Champion burr oak, near McBaine, Mo.

Everyone is welcome to nominate a Missouri tree for a Champion Tree. The owner and nominator of each Champion receives a certificate on a plaque. A form is available for nominating Missouri trees through the Missouri Department of Conservation web site at: http://mdc.mo.gov/forest/IandE/MOChampionTrees/. Print the form from this site, fill it in, then send it by mail to Matt Seek, Missouri Champion Tree Coordinator. If the tree qualifies as a national champ, Seek will complete the appropriate steps with American Forests to place it on the National Register of Big Trees. For more information, contact Matt Seek, Missouri Champion Tree Coordinator, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102; or email Matt.Seek@mdc.mo.gov. Photos of nominated trees are encouraged.

Within the American Forests National Register of Big Trees are articles about the species, information on where to look to find big trees, photos and more. A membership to American Forests includes a free copy of the Register. For more information about American Forests membership, and the Register, visit www.americanforests.org; or call 800- 368-5748, ext. 202.

How to Measure for a Champion Tree
Source: Missouri Department of Conservation
(www.mdc.mo.gov)

Wrong Way	Right Way
Circumference is measured at 4.5 feet above the ground. (MDC diagrams)

Measuring Circumference
Circumference is measured at 4.5 feet above the ground. If a growth or branch is located at this point, measure below it where the circumference is least. If the tree forks below 4.5 feet, measure the larger fork at 4.5 feet.

To measure the circumference, locate a point at 4.5 feet above the ground on the trunk and place the zero end of the tape there. The tape is wrapped around the trunk tightly without sagging so that it exactly meets the zero end of the tape. The circumference is read in feet and inches.

Crown Spread can be measured by setting a stake directly under the outside edge of the crown farthest from the trunk (A) and another directly opposite it at the outer edge of the crown (B) on a line passing through the center of the tree. (MDC diagrams)

Measuring Crown Spread
Crown Spread can be measured by setting a stake directly under the outside edge of the crown farthest from the trunk (A) and another directly opposite it at the outer edge of the crown (B) on a line passing through the center of the tree. Next, set stakes marking the shortest diameter of the crown passing through the center of the tree (C and D). Measure both diameters to the nearest foot with a tape measure. Add the two measurements together and divide the sum by two to obtain the average crown spread.

Height is measured using a yardstick method. (MDC diagrams)

Measuring Height
Height is the distance between the base and the top-most branch of the tree. A simple method of measuring tree height, which is quite accurate, is done in the following manner:

• Make a target which is a known height (5 feet works well when measuring tall trees). A yardstick will be needed, into which you have cut a fine notch at each inch mark.
• Place this target against the tree, making sure that it will be visible as you walk back to measure it. Be sure the target is vertical or your reading will not be true.
• Holding the yardstick vertically, back up from the tree to the point where the five-foot target exactly fills one inch on the yard-stick.
• Now, without moving the yardstick, sight from the base of the tree to the top of the tree. The number of inches on the yardstick which is filled by the tree is noted. Each inch is equal to five feet. If the tree occupied 18 inches on the ruler, then 18 x 5 feet = 90 feet, the height of the tree.
• Be sure and take measurements from several points around the tree and use an average of measurements for the height.