Nomination a champ

To be eligible for listing in the National Register of Big Trees, a species must be recognized as native or naturalized in the United States (species found only in Hawaii are not included). Hybrids and minor varieties are excluded. There are 826 eligible species and varieties: 747 native and 79 naturalized. To determine eligibility, AMERICAN FORESTS uses Elbert L. Little Jr.'s Checklist of United States Trees (Native and Naturalized), published in 1979 as U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Handbook 541.

DEFINITIONS OF TREES

As defined in the Checklist, trees are woody plants having one erect perennial stem or trunk at least 9 1/2 inches in circumference (3 inches in diameter) at 4 1/2 feet above the ground (breast height), a definitely formed crown of foliage, and a height of at least 13 feet. In contrast, shrubs are small woody plants, usually with several perennial stems branching at the base.

* Native tree species (also called indigenous) are wild and grew naturally or spontaneously in the undisturbed forest vegetation before the arrival of Columbus or other Europeans.

* Introduced tree species have been brought into the United States. A naturalized tree is an introduced species that has become common and established itself as though wild, reproducing naturally and spreading. Species accepted as naturalized are designated in the Register by the symbol ([DELTA]).

HOW TREES ARE COMPARED

To find a tree's total points, AMERICAN FORESTS uses the following calculation: Trunk circumference (in inches) Height (in feet) 1/4 of its average crown spread (in feet) = Total points

* A nominee will replace a registered champion if it has more points. When two trees have scores that fall within 5 points of each other, they are listed as co-champions.

--The Editors