American Forests is celebrating Earth Day this year by preparing to announce the biggest trees of the nation! Officials at American Forests are getting ready to announce the findings of a two-year search for the nation's biggest trees. The National Register of Big Trees, a species-by-species listing of the largest trees in the United States, will be released in early May.

The National Register of Big Trees lists the largest known species of 826 native and naturalized tree species in the country. American Forests, the nation’s oldest nonprofit conservation organization, has maintained and published the Register since 1940.

Since the 2002 Register was released, the National Register of Big Trees is now available online at www.americanforests.org and features a big tree database searchable by height, width, circumference, crown spread, points, species, and state. For further detail, visitors can also view Big Tree Trivia, which highlights facts such as the most notable trees, and states and regions with the most champs.

The total number of trees in the 2004 Register are 889.

The Register was created in 1940.

The "smartest" Big Tree grows at Stanford University. Until recently, there were two big trees on campus. Four years ago, Purdue University had a champion Big Tree moved from their campus to another location.

Four Big Trees succumbed to natural causes since the last Register. Although sad for the loss of these remarkable examples of their species, the deaths have cleared the way for future champs and record-holding states.

1. The largest Big Tree in the nation is?

a) redbud
b) Jeffery pine
c) giant sequoia
d) honey locust

Answer: giant sequoia. The General Sherman giant sequoia is the biggest National Champion Tree, and the largest living thing.

2. Which states don't have any champs?

a) Massachusetts
b)Oklahoma
c)North Dakota
d) All of the above

Answer: d, all of the above.

3. What was the name of the man whose impassioned plea to protect big trees prompted AF to begin the Register?

Answer: Forester, Joseph Stearns

4. How many 2002 champions were in the original class of 1940? How many are still alive?

Answer: There were four in the original class, but only three remain: Giant sequoia ("General Sherman") Sequoia National Park, CA Rocky Mountain juniper ("Jardine Juniper") Cache National Forest, UT Western juniper ("Bennett Juniper") Stanislaus National Forest, CA White oak ("Wye Oak") Wye Mills State Park, MD (died in 2002)

5. What species of tree was the first one registered?

Answer: A chestnut oak in Connecticut.

Keep watching for future announcements for news about The 2004/2005 National Register of Big Trees. There are bound to be a few competitors, surprises and some other exciting news for you to enjoy.