Big Tree Champions of Maryland
Photographs by Jayson Knott
[Picture of the champion Wye Oak] Trees are the oldest and largest of living things. There are several in this state reported to be more than four centuries old. These trees bore witness to the birth of our country and many will see us enter the 21st century.

No complete record of Maryland's tree species exists, but from the best information available, there are probably more than 160 species. Counting the exotic species which are successfully grown here, the list is almost unlimited.

The importance of trees, not only in our landscape, but in our very way of life, gains recognition by more people every day. Maryland residents have shown a universal interest in "Big Trees," since the first State Forester, Fred W. Besley compiled the "Noted Tree List" for Maryland in 1925.

As the "Noted Tree List" grew, it became apparent to Mr. Besley that there should be a permanent, published record. He started an intensive search for big trees of all species growing in Maryland, and a statewide contest was held, greatly increasing the number of nominations for Big Tree Champions. The search continues to the present time and the list changes constantly.

Trees are subject to the ravages of man, machines, insects, disease, nature and time. In order to keep the list up-to-date, "The Big Trees Listing" was published in 1937, 1956, 1973, and 1990. Updated annually, this list documents the continuing search for large and historic trees. Hundreds of trees across the State each year are measured and nominated.

The required information necessary to nominate a Big Tree is:

  • To nominate a tree please vist the Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards at this location: (http://www.cecilfb.sailorsite.net/MD_Big_Tree.htm).
  • Species: Common name and scientific name (if known)
  • Location: County, town or road name
  • Circumference: Girth of the trunk at 4 1/2 feet above the ground, in inches
  • Height: Total perpendicular height of the tree in feet
  • Crown Spread: The spread is the average of two measurements taken at right angles of each other
  • The general condition and health of the tree should be included in the nomination
To qualify as a champion, the tree must have a single stem or trunk for at least 4 1/2 feet above the ground level and total height of at least fifteen feet. The rule for the circumference or girth at 4 1/2 feet was established to avoid any abnormal base swell of the trunk at the ground line. In multiple stem trees, only the largest single stem shall be measured.

To evaluate the relative size of a tree, the girth in inches and the height and crown spread in feet are added together to arrive at a number of points for each tree. This number is then used for comparison of tree sizes in each species. This system of measuring gives the trunk, the most important part of the tree, much better weight by giving the girth in inches. The formula is: Total Points=Circumference (inches) + Height (feet) + 25% of the average Crown Spread (feet).

The first Big Tree Contest in 1925 had an impressive list of 450 trees nominated. All of the trees in this list have been officially measured by an employee of the Maryland DNR Forest Service, who can certify their authenticity.

In 1940, the American Forestry Association, through its national magazine, inaugurated a Big Tree Contest for the entire United States, along lines similar to the Maryland contest, using the same system of measurements. In that first Big Tree List, Maryland led all the other states in the number of champion trees. Again, in 1955, when the National list was published, Maryland led the nation with forty-five champions. Since that time, many other states have started zealously searching for their big trees; consequently Maryland has lost some of its national champions to bigger trees located in other states.

The scientific names for the native, naturalized and ornamental species in the list are based on "Woody Plants of Maryland" by Russel G. Brown and Melvin L. Brown and the "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" by Michael A. Dirr.

Almost everyone likes trees for one reason or another. No matter what the reason - aesthetics, financial or sentimental - a tree is a valuable asset. In this last decade of the 20th century, trees have once again attained a position of prominence, not so much for the products derived from them, but from the nonconsumptive benefits they provide. Trees use carbon dioxide, the gas associated with global warming and the "Greenhouse Effect," and give off oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. They act as buffers, filtering out harmful sediment and nutrients before they enter water bodies such as the Chesapeake Bay. A house without trees is unprotected from summer heat, appears unbalanced and suggests a lack of interest on the part of those that live in it. A state without trees would be a barren and desolate place in which to live. A world without trees would, quite literally, be an impossible place in which to live.


The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service wants to know if this service is helpful for you or your company, please send comments and/or suggestions to Maryland DNR.

Updated March 3, 2008

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