Spring fancy: news from the from world of trees. (Clippings).It's spring, the time when people's minds turn to thoughts of...circumference, crown spread, height. That's right, it's Big Tree time again, and big tree hunters nationwide are out with tape measures and straight sticks or more sophisticated gear in search of potential record holders. Forget the day spring or summer starts--July 1 is the date that really matters. That's the deadline for nominating a tree to be considered for champion status. AMERICAN FORESTS' National Register of Big Trees The National Register of Big Trees is a list of the largest living specimens of each tree variety found in the continental United States. A tree on this list is often called a National Champion Tree. is a showcase of the largest known of 826 native and naturalized nat·u·ral·ize v. nat·u·ral·ized, nat·u·ral·iz·ing, nat·u·ral·iz·es v.tr. 1. To grant full citizenship to (one of foreign birth). 2. To adopt (something foreign) into general use. species in the continental U.S. and Alaska. There are currently 99 species without a national champion, trees ranging from the fireberry hawthorn and velvet elder to the desert apricot and sweetbay magnolia. Six states--Delaware, Kansas, Massachusetts, North Dakota North Dakota, state in the N central United States. It is bordered by Minnesota, across the Red River of the North (E), South Dakota (S), Montana (W), and the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (N). , Oklahoma, and Wyoming--and the District of Columbia District of Columbia, federal district (2000 pop. 572,059, a 5.7% decrease in population since the 1990 census), 69 sq mi (179 sq km), on the east bank of the Potomac River, coextensive with the city of Washington, D.C. (the capital of the United States). currently do not have any champion trees listed on the national Register. Entries from those locations are especially encouraged. National champs are ranked based on a point system that is calculated by adding the tree's trunk circumference in inches, the height in feet, and 1/4 of the average crown spread in feet. The Big Trees section of AMERICAN FORESTS' website (www.amerricanforests.org) now features a searchable database Refers to databases on the Web that are searchable by typing in a query. The term is quite redundant because all databases are searchable. In fact, that is one of their major features. , a downloadable nomination form, a measuring guide, and a list of FAQs. You can also find tree trivia. "General Sherman," the national champion giant sequoia giant sequoia: see sequoia. may be the acknowledged "biggest living thing in the world," but no title has been more sought-after than that of the national champion white oak. Since AMERICAN FORESTS American Forests is a nonprofit conservation organization that promotes healthy forests and urban tree planting. The organization was established in 1875 as the American Forestry Association, by physician/horticulturist John Aston Warder and a group of like-minded citizens began keeping records in 1940 that title was held by Maryland's 508-point Wye Oak The Wye Oak was the honorary state tree of Maryland, and the largest white oak tree in the United States. Located in the town of Wye Mills, in Talbot County, Maryland, the Wye Oak was believed to be over 460 years old at the time of its destruction during a thunderstorm on June 6, , which blew down in a storm last June. Maryland is trying to hang onto the title but is being challenged by several other states. That good-natured rivalry often plays out between states as each wants to claim the bragging rights for its state tree or for a tree that's especially near and dear to its heart (the champ Kentucky coffeetree is in Ohio). "Our big trees are national treasures and they should be revered as symbols of strength, resilience, and luck," says Karen Fedor, AMERICAN FORESTS' vp of Global ReLeaf and the person charged with running the Big Tree program. "This spring and summer, I hope everyone will get out into their communities and join in the search for these treasured trees." Think you know of a tree that has what it takes? Search the Register online or download a nomination form. AF |
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