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Champion Trees of
Mississippi is the official publication of the Mississippi
Champion Tree Program. It is a listing of the largest reported trees
of various species growing in the state. The list has been
maintained by the Mississippi Forestry Commission since the program's
beginning in 1972. Mississippi's parent program, the
National Register of Big Trees, was initiated in 1940 by the American
Forestry Association (now known as American Forests). All trees
submitted to the Mississippi Champion Tree Program are compared to the
most current edition of the National Register of Big Trees.
The list of
champion trees is constantly changing as people explore new areas or take
a good look at the trees in their own backyards. If you thing you
may have discovered a champion tree, simply follow the nominating
procedure found below.
Mississippi
Champions in the National Register of Big Trees
Currently, 163
trees are registered as Mississippi champions, ten of which are also
national champions and five are national co-champions.
Click here to see the Champion Trees on the National Register of Big Trees
that are located in Mississippi.
Read about the State and National
Champion
Longleaf Pine in Jasper County, Mississippi.
Procedure for
Nominating a Champion Tree
Nominations should
be made through the service forester's office in the county in which the
candidate tree is located. Arrangements for taking official
measurements can also be made by writing Rick Olson, Champion Tree
Coordinator.
Any qualified
forester may make the official measurements for nominating a Champion
Tree. Only these species listed in the USDA Forest Service
publication Checklist of United States Trees (Native and Naturalized), by
Elbert L. Little, Jr., are eligible for listing in Champion Tress of
Mississippi.
To submit a tree
in the "Big Tree" contest, complete the form below and mail to
Rick Olson, Champion Tree Coordinator, 301 North Lamar Street, Suite 300, Jackson,
Mississippi 39201.
Mississippi Champion "Big Tree" contest Candidate Tree Data form
How Champion
Trees Are Selected
Champion trees are determined on the basis of points, awarded in the
following manner:
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One (1) point for each inch in circumference at a point 4.5 feet above
the ground. (Check with the local service forester’s office for unusually
shaped trees, multiple stems, etc.)
-
One (1) point for each foot in total height (measured to the nearest
foot).
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One-fourth (1/4) point for each foot in average crown spread (measured
to the nearest foot).
The Champion Tree entry with the largest number of total points shall be
declared the champion of its species in Mississippi and shall be recognized
as such in each edition of Champion Trees of Mississippi until a new
champion is found or until the tree dies. Co-champions will be listed in the
case of very close point totals (within 5 total points).
Mississippi’s Champion Trees which score points in excess of those
currently listed in the American Forests’ National Register of Big Trees
will be forwarded to American Forests for nomination as a national champion.
Once you’ve gotten the rough measurements, jot them down and ask your
Service
Forester to verify your figures and provide you with a nominating
form. The forester will be glad to forward your nomination to the Champion Tree
Coordinator.
For
more information on the champion Tree program, contact:
Rick Olson
Urban Forest Coordinator
301 N. Lamar
St., Suite 300
Jackson, MS
39201
(601) 359-2856 office
(601) 942-9973 cell
rolson@mfc.state.ms.us
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