31 Jul 2024 127 magnificent trees stand tall throughout Arkansas
By Judy Riley
What defines a champion? A winner of a race or the biggest, tallest, first in its class? All that and more defines a champion tree, according to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Champion Tree Program. Arkansas is renowned for its scenic natural beauty and abundant forested areas. Arkansans take pride in our champions and champion trees are no exception. Trees receiving this recognition are unique from one another in size, width and even color, as they represent entirely different species from one tree to the next. Arkansas Champions are not necessarily giants; rather, they are the largest for that tree species.
The 127 total champions and co-champions specimens are found all over the Natural State, but 27 of those are right here in the 501. Champions are chosen based on a formula involving measurements of trunk circumference, tree height and average spread of the leafy crown. Circumference is measured at 4 and 1/2 feet from ground level. The bigness index formula is circumference in inches, plus height in feet, plus one-fourth of the average crown spread. Finding an existing champion is easy. An alphabetical listing of all champion trees and their locations can be found at agriculture.arkansas.gov/forestry/champion-trees. Many of the trees are on private lands. Specific addresses are not given unless the trees are on public lands.
The program, like the trees themselves, is ever-growing and ever-changing. “Our champion trees program began in the late 1970s,” said Harold Fisher, Urban Forestry partnership coordinator with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division.
“In my role, I find a lot of joy through working with potential champion tree owners and seeing their eyes light up when they find out that their tree is the newest champion tree for a particular species. People enjoy their champion trees, and I am glad to be a part of the program that gives them that joy.” Fisher’s commitment and enthusiasm for these champions is contagious.
Who can nominate a tree to be included in this exclusive list? “Arkansans from across the state can nominate a tree to be measured and named a champion tree for that species,” said Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “One of the ways to showcase Arkansas’s forested areas is by recognizing a champion tree from species common to Arkansas.” Specific information and a nomination form can be found online. If measurements are not included in a nomination, then Forestry Division personnel will work with the land owner to get them.
About 80% of Arkansas’s forest is privately owned, primarily by family forest landowners. And forested areas have increased by about 1 million acres since the 1970s. Arkansas is home to some of the largest national forests in the eastern U.S., covering around 2.5 million acres, all managed by the U.S. Forest Service. That is a lot of trees!
And lest one think forestry is not big business in Arkansas, think again. “Our almost 19 million acres of forestlands in Arkansas are among the state’s most treasured natural resources, stimulating a thriving timber industry that employs around 27,000 hard-working Arkansans,” said State Forester Kyle Cunningham. “Sustainable management and harvesting of our abundant forestlands generate $6.1 billion in income and economic output each year. And Arkansas’s forests are renewable resources that will continue driving economic growth and community livelihoods for generations to come.”
This begs the question, is there a champion tree in your neighborhood, patiently waiting to be properly recognized as an Arkansas Champion Tree? If you know of a tree that could be the largest of its species, contact your local Forestry Division office. Send questions to [email protected].
