American Forests’ 75th anniversary edition of the Champion Trees national register features 781 trees
Washington, D.C. (April 22, 2015) — Since 1940, American Forests has recorded the biggest known trees of their species in the annual American Forests Champion Trees national register. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the program this year, American Forests has crowned 37 new national champion and co-champion trees, bringing the total to 781 national champions listed in the register.
Notable information includes:
- The states with the most champions are Florida (133), Texas (86), Virginia (70), Arizona (69) and California (53).
- California boasts both the highest number of dethroned champions, but also the most new champions and co-champions.
- The tree with the highest point total is also located in California — the giant sequoia champion earned 1,321 points, coming in at 274 feet tall, with a circumference of 1,020 inches and crown spread of 107 feet.
- Hawaii’s coconut palm, nicknamed “Coco” and winner of the 2014 Big Tree Madness competition, was sadly lost in a storm event. The coconut palm did not get a new champion in this year’s edition of the register.
“As we celebrate this special anniversary of one of American Forests’ flagship programs, we are reminded of the importance of forest conservation and old-growth forests,” said Bryant Smith, manager of the National Big Tree Program. “Beyond recognizing these impressive giants, American Forests is also raising awareness of the benefits that all mature trees provide all of the inhabitants of our country, and the planet.”
The American Forests Champion Trees national register, sponsored by The Davey Tree Expert Company, is a record of the largest trees of each species in the United States is based on height, circumference, and crown spread. American Forests accepts nominations during the spring of each year.
“More than a century ago, The Davey Tree Expert Company was founded with the goal of ensuring trees receive the best care available,” said Sandra Reid, vice president of corporate communications and strategic planning. “We understand that the maintenance of healthy trees and forests today helps ensure their survival for generations to come. By supporting the Big Tree Program for more than 25 years, Davey has been able to spotlight the value of all trees and their environments.”
For 75 years the American Forests National Big Tree Program has promoted the importance of planting and caring for trees and forests in helping to sustain healthy ecosystems and life on Earth. The program has campaigned to locate, protect and save the biggest specimens of every native and naturalized tree species in the United States.
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ABOUT AMERICAN FORESTS
American Forests protects and restores urban and rural forests. Founded in 1875, the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the country has served as a catalyst for many of the most important milestones in the conservation movement, including the founding of the U.S. Forest Service, the national forest and national park systems and literally thousands of forest ecosystem restoration projects and public education efforts. Since 1990, American Forests has planted nearly 50 million trees in forests throughout the U.S. and in 44 countries, resulting in cleaner air and drinking water, restored habitat for wildlife and fish, and the removal of millions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Learn more at www.americanforests.org.
ABOUT THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY
The Davey Tree Expert Company’s more than 8,000 employees provide tree care, grounds maintenance and environmental consulting services for the residential, utility, commercial and government markets in more than 47 states and 5 Canadian provinces. Davey has provided Proven Solutions for a Growing World since 1880, and 2014 marks 35 years of employee ownership. For more information, visit www.davey.com.
MEDIA CONTACT
Christopher Horn | Director of Communications | 202.370.4517 (direct) | 913.549.0769 (cell) | chorn@americanforests.org