MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOREST SERVICE

Big Tree Centennial Contest

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The Maryland Big Tree Program celebrates their 100-year anniversary by hosting a Big Tree contest in Maryland State Forests​


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Tuckahoe State Park. Photo by Anthony Burrows 

When is it?

Memorial Day Weekend ( May 24, 2025) through Labor Da​y Weekend (September 1, 2025).


Where is it?

Any Maryland State Forest. For the Chesapeake Forest Lands, please only use the public hunting lands.


Who can enter?

Any Maryland State Forest visitor!


What about prizes?

1st place = $500 | 2nd place = $400 | 3rd place = $300 | 4th place = $200 | 5th place = $100

The reported trees will be remeasured by the Maryland Big Tree Program and the winners will be contacted after the contest has conclude.

American sycamore, the biggest Big Tree in Maryland. Located at Dickerson Conservation Park. Photo Credit: Maryland Big Tree Program
English elm, a national champion tree. Located at Goshen Elm Park. Photo Credit: Maryland Big Tree Program
Silver maple, the biggest Big Tree in a Maryland State Forest. Located at Green Ridge State Forest. Photo Credit: Maryland Big Tree Program
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Details:

  1. Prior to your hike, mark a string at 15ft long.
  2. Go on a hike in a Maryland State Forest and find a big tree. Bring your marked string, a measuring tape, and a marker with you.
  3. Measure the tree’s circumference at 4’ 6” above the ground (approximately adult chest height) by wrapping your string around the trunk.
  4. If the tree’s circumference is larger that 15ft (past the mark on your string) mark the string again and take a photo with the string around the tree and someone standing next to it.
  5. Take 4 more photos of the tree, one from each side.
  6. If possible, take a photo of the leaves.
  7. Measure the new mark on your string using the measuring tape and take a photo of the length.
  8. Report the circumference, location, and photos to the Maryland Big Tree Program along with your name, address, and phone number by emailing John​ Bennett at mdbigtreeprogram@aol.com.

Rules:

  • Safety should be always observed. Please let someone (not in your hiking party) know your plan. Please inspect the tree and area for any dangers. Please take precautions against ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes, poison ivy, etc.
  • Any tree with a circumference smaller than 15ft is ineligible.
  • Any tree with large ivy vines increasing the trunk circumference is ineligible.
  • If a tree has two trunks, it is only eligible if the split occurs at 5ft or higher from the ground.
  • Standing dead trees are ineligible.
  • If a tree is located on a slope, please measure the circumference from the uphill side.
  • Please use English measurements.
  • Please collect the tree's location using phone GPS (decimal coordinates) if possible. If there is no service, please mark the location on a map and provide directions to the tree.
  • There are already 2 Big Trees recorded within Maryland State Forests with circumferences larger than 15ft. These 2 trees do not count towards this contest. One is a silver maple located at Green Ridge State Forest (N39.59281, W78.40800). The other is a black oak located at Elk Neck State Forest (N39.54500, W75.94270).

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Scan here for the history of the 100-year anniversary or click here.
Scan here for the Maryland State Forests website or click here.
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Scan here for the Maryland Big Tree program or click here.

 

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