Big Tree Register

What Is The Big Tree Register?

The New York State Big Tree Register is maintained by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) as an effort to recognize trees of record size and promote an interest in their care and preservation. The State Register lists only native and naturalized species and does not include hybrid species. The authority for determining eligible species is the 1978 edition of the USDA Forest Service publication entitled Checklist of US Trees Native and Naturalized prepared by Elbert L. Little, Jr.

The Big Tree Registry started as hand written documents and a ledger over 30 years ago. The registry has now entered into the electronic age of databases and web sites. All trees listed have been measured or confirmed to exist within the last 10 years.

How is a Champion Determined?

To determine if a nominated tree is a champion for its species measurements of the tree are taken and used to calculate a total point score. The formula is the sum of the trees height in feet, the trunk circumference in inches, and one quarter of the trees crown average crown width.

Total Point Score = Height in feet + Trunk Circumference in inches + 1/4 Average Crown Spread in feet

How To Nominate A Big Tree

To nominate a big tree, you must first be certain of the tree's correct identification and then take some basic measurements to determine the trees point score. Trees should be reported to the DEC after the owner or nominator has measured the tree to determine that it exceeds the size of the current State Champion for that species. After initial measurements have been taken, contact the regional DEC office that the tree is located in to have a forester or authorized cooperator verify the tree's size Nominations must include the following information:

Common name and (if known) correct Latin genus and species name
Circumference, height and crown spread measurements
Specific location of the tree
Date measured and by whom
Name and address of the owner and/or nominator
Description of the tree's physical condition
Two photographs

The Big Tree Register is part of a cooperative effort with American Forests, who maintains the National Register of Big Trees. Measurements of New York State champion trees that qualify as national champions or challengers are submitted and become part of that Register. National Challengers are trees not quite large enough to become Champions, however, their records are kept in order to select a new Champion if something should happen to the current titleholder. To obtain additional information on the National Big Tree Register, contact the Big Tree Program Director at the following address:

American Forests
734 15th Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: (202) 955-4500
Fax: (202) 955-4588