How To Nominate A Tree

1. Determine if your tree is an eligible species.

Species must be recognized as either native or non-native and naturalized in the United States. Hybrids, cultivars, ornamentals and varieties are excluded. American Forests has based this list on sources such as the USDA Plants Database and the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).

Note: The classification of various species as invasive is not consistent across state boundaries, since each species does not always exhibit invasive characteristics in every location. State coordinators shall decide whether a nominated tree fits the definition of invasive in their state and therefore exclude that species from nomination to the National Register.

2. Determine if your tree has a fighting chance: measure it!

Measure your tree and compare it to the current National Champion for your tree’s species. (View the current National Register of Champion Trees.) Does your tree have close to or more total points than the current National Champion Tree?

Use American Forests’ “Measuring Guidelines Handbook” to ensure that you are measuring your tree the right way

3. Take Photographs of your Tree

Six photographs of your tree are required for your nomination to be considered fully eligible. Starting November 1, 2021 new nominations that do not have the following six photographs will not be crowned a National Champion Tree. Please take the following photographs to the best of your ability.

1. One clear photograph of the entire tree from base to tip (from any cardinal direction) with a point of size reference such as a person or object beside the tree or at its middle.
2. A clear photograph of as much of the tree as possible from the cardinal direction: North
3. A clear photograph of as much of the tree as possible from the cardinal direction: South
4. A clear photograph of as much of the tree as possible from the cardinal direction: East
5. A clear photograph of as much of the tree as possible from the cardinal direction: West
6. A full length photograph of a person measuring the circumference of the tree.

4. Nominate your tree using our online nomination form.

After you have determined that your tree is an eligible species, you have measured it, and taken 6 photographs of it, you can nominate your tree using our online nomination form.

The nomination period for the 2021 National Register of Champion Trees has closed. The nomination period for the 2022 National Register of Champion Trees will open on November 1, 2021.  

5. What’s next? State Coordinator Verification.

After you have submitted a nomination form and photographs of your tree your nomination will not be considered fully eligible until your tree’s health, species identification, and measurements have been verified by an expert. The National Register of Champion Trees works with Champion Tree State Coordinators across the country to confirm these aspects of each nomination to ensure the validity of nominations and the credibility of the National Register.

Please contact your Champion Trees State Coordinator to notify them that you have nominated a tree to the National Register of Champion Trees. They will work with you to verify your nomination.

6. National champion trees

If a tree that you have nominated to the National Register of Champion Trees is crowned a National Champion Tree or a National Co-Champion Tree, the tree and your name will be featured on the American Forests website on the online National Register of Champion Trees. Each Champion Tree has its own web-page where its stats and the name of the person (or persons) who nominated the tree can be found. In addition, starting with the 2020 National Register of Champion Trees, you can find your name in a downloadable PDF of the annual National Register of Champion Trees. Printed copies of the National Register of Champion Trees are available upon request.

Starting with the September release of the 2020 National Register of Champion Trees certificates for Champion Trees and Co-Champion Trees will only be available upon request. To request a paper or printable PDF certificate please contact us at (202) 737-1944 or write to us at 1220 L Street NW Suite 750, Washington D.C., 20005.

Champions and Co-Champions

Trees are crowned Champions if they are the largest tree of their species nominated to the National Register of Champion Trees.

Trees are also crowned Co-Champions:

• If the largest trees of a species are under 100 total points, trees will be crowned Co-Champion Trees if they are within 3 total points of each other.
• If the largest trees of a species are over 100 points, they will be Co-Champions Trees if the differential between them is no more than 3% of the larger tree’s total points.

10-Year Rule

Trees that were nominated and trees that were crowned National Champions on American Forests’ National Register of Champion Trees must be re-verified by State Coordinators that they are still living every 10 years. In addition, new tree measurements and photographs of the tree must be submitted. Failure to re-verify trees and submit new measurements and photographs will render a tree ineligible for Champion consideration and/or will result in the dethroning of a current National Champion.

For example: Champions last measured in 2009 will be dethroned if they are not re-verified before the release of the 2019 National Register.

Growth Habit

There are a number of species that are eligible for the National Register of Champion Trees that are documented to grow in the form of either a shrub or a tree. Nominations must be for species that are growing in the form of a tree. Species growing in shrub form are not eligible for the National Register of Champion Trees.

Misidentified Trees

If a tree is found to have been misidentified and the tree is an ineligible species to the National Register of Champion Trees, the nomination will be considered disqualified.

If a tree is found to have been misidentified and the tree is an eligible species to the National Register, the nomination is still considered eligible.

If a Champion Tree is found to have been misidentified, but is still an eligible species it will remain a Champion if it is the largest tree nominated to the National Register of its correct species.

Snag Rule

Trees that are standing dead are ineligible for the National Register of Champion Trees.