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The “National Register of Big Trees” for 2008- 2009 has recently been
released, and includes 12 trees located in Alabama that are the largest
of their species recorded in the entire United States! The
register is published by American Forests which is the nation’s
oldest non-profit citizens’ conservation organization, and is responsible
for the Champion Tree program.
To receive national recognition, a tree must first be certified as a state
champion. To be eligible for Alabama’s Champion Tree program, a tree must be
of a species that is recognized as native or naturalized in Alabama. A
“naturalized” tree is an introduced species that has established itself in
the wild, reproducing naturally and spreading.
Once
a tree is declared a state champion, it is submitted to American Forests
for consideration at the national level. Below is a list of the 12 Alabama
champion trees that are currently recognized as national champion trees, and
the county in which each is located.
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Florida Anise –
Perry County
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Odorless (Scentless)
Bayberry – Baldwin County
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Swamp Dogwood –
Dallas County (co-national champion)
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Georgia Hackberry –
Perry County (co-national champion)
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Southern Magnolia –
Calhoun County (co-national champion)
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Blackjack Oak –
Barbour County
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Durand Oak – Wilcox
County
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Myrtle Oak – Baldwin
County (co-national champion)
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Two-winged
Silverbell – Wilcox County
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Sparkleberry –
Choctaw County (co-national champion)
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Sugarberry – Barbour
County
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Staghorn Sumac –
Tallapoosa County
To
learn more about the Champion Tree program contact Brian Hendricks at
240-9370, or visit the “Champion
Trees of Alabama.” There you will find useful information about
the program, and a current listing of all Alabama champion trees. Anyone can
nominate a tree for Champion Tree consideration by filling out the on-line
nomination form, or by contacting the AFC’s Champion Tree Program
Coordinator. |
