Even as an Arborist, I am awestruck by large, mature trees. I may look upon these relics perhaps differently than most…but maybe not? We can all agree that it’s a humbling experience to be in the presence of one of these giants; they spur the imagination. What has this tree witnessed? How old is it? How did it get here? Not even Siri or the Internet has all of the answers.
A professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA used to keep an extensive list of massive trees in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, upon his passing, the inventory was not updated.
Recently, several Arboriculture Associations, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and many volunteers have teamed up to locate the trees on the professor’s list and update their existence, size and condition. This list is officially known as the State Champion Tree list.
The DCR encourages everyone to get involved in identifying trees that may qualify as “State Champions”. A nomination form noting simple measurements and location of a tree can be found at their website.
Mail the completed form to the DCR for review. Field inspectors will verify the tree species and measurements. Nominators and landowners will be notified if a tree is logged into the Massachusetts Big Tree Registry!
As a Certified Arborist, I won’t be able to tell you if your backyard specimen is a “Massachusetts Champion” or not; only the DCR can do that. But, I would love the opportunity to assess the condition and vitality of your tree(s).
At ArborTech Tree Services, we offer a Plant Health Care (PHC) Program that is multifaceted and geared toward proactively caring for your trees and shrubs via deep root fertilization, pest management and annual maintenance pruning (AMP) programs. Give us a call at (413) 525-0060 to schedule an appointment for a FREE consultation or contact us through this website. We can work with you to develop a PHC program that will benefit your “Champion” for years to come. Let’s start hunting for those big trees!