Measuring Arizona - desert state with 58 champion trees

American Forests, Spring, 1998 by Craig Noble

RELATED ARTICLE: A PLACE FOR local giants

Want to start a big tree register for your city, town, or county? Unsure how to start? The most important thing to remember is why you're doing it: to get your community interested and excited about locating and protecting big trees. Your efforts will get people looking for and appreciating the largest and oldest living things on earth and all their accompanying benefits.

Get organized before you start accepting nominations. Here are some suggestions:

* Decide which species are eligible. It's best to be consistent with the national program so your local champs have a chance to become national champs. AMERICAN FORESTS' National Register of Big Trees recognizes 823 native and naturalized species. You may want to allow some popular local plantings too.

* Decide how to measure trees. The point system in the national ! Register is a weighted formula that allows for consistent comparisons. (See page 13 for details.)

* Develop a brochure. Explain why big trees are important, what geographic region and species are eligible, and how to measure and nominate trees. Keep it simple to encourage participation. You may want to design nomination forms and certificates to recognize big tree owners and nominators.

* Choose a coordinator. This can be someone from your local parks & recreation or public works department, or a local forester or arborist. The individual selected should know enough about trees to verify species and measurements.

* Document your trees. Use a simple computer database or index card file to record species, measurements, locations; nominators, and property owners. Photographs are helpful.

* Conduct outreach. Publicize your program in local newspapers and on TV and radio. Talk to garden clubs, conservation groups, end civic organizations. Then get ready for nominations.

* Publish your register. It can be self-published or sponsored by a local newspaper, chamber of commerce, or other organization. AMERICAN FORESTS' National Register of Big Trees is published biennially.

- Craig Noble

Craig Noble is AMERICAN FORESTS' communications specialist and an admirer of western trees.