The movement to identify the largest trees nationally and in Virginia began in the 1940s. A tree of any species is defined as a plant at least 11 feet tall and 9 inches in circumference near the base. In order to have the tree validated as a champion tree, it must be measured, points calculated, and a form submitted, in Virginia, to the Virginia Forestry Association. Using a 100 foot measuring tape, one must stand at breast height (4.5 feet) to measure the circumference. A chronometer is used to measure height by standing 100 feet from the base of the tree and sighting the highest live branch. The crown size is determined by using the branch’s drip line. Each of these measures yield points used to compare sizes of trees.

The largest tree in the USA is the General Sherman Sequoia which measures 30 feet wide at the base. The east coast champion was an oak tree in Maryland, however it came down not too many years ago.

Gary showed slides he had taken over a twenty-year period. He showed numerous examples of champion trees in Virginia, varying widely in size, including:

· An American Elm, the national champion in South Hampton County near Nottoway measuring 24 feet 8 inches, 135 feet tall and 125 feet crown spread. Virginia’s elm tree beat the long-time champion in Kansas. It made the cover of the New York Times and jokes were even made about it by Johnny Carson. Sadly, the tree was killed by Dutch Elm disease. Sections of the tree were carved into ducks and sold for $125. Proceeds went to the museum in Courtland, VA.

· Camellia bush with a circumference of 9 inches and 16 feet tall and a Mountain Stewardia Camellia on the campus of Virginia Tech

· Devil’s Walking Stick on the Yorktown Battlefield, 2 feet in circumference

· Sumac 30-40 feet high but lost in a thunderstorm

· Flowering Dogwood, a national champion on the Naval Base in Norfolk more than 100 years old.

· Yellow wood at Monticello

· Mountain Ash at Mountain Lake

· Spice Bush, Holly Winterberry, and Black Ash in Roanoke

· Southern Magnolia at Old Dominion University

· Sugarberry and Black Cherry in Norfolk

· Ginko and Shagbark Hickory nearby in White Marsh

· Loblolly Pine along the Pamunkey River in King William County is more than 200 years old. It has growths around the base and a holds a record measurement that may be inaccurate.

· Laurel Oak in Chesapeake between residential homes measuring 33 feet in circumference.

· Eastern Red Cedar near Franklin

· Pawpaw, Redbay, and also Sweetleaf along the Dismal Swamp Canal

· Along the Nottoway River and in nearby swamps a number of Virginia champions exist: Trumpet creeper vine 1 foot wide, Water Tupelo 26 feet in circumference, Persimmon, and Water Hickory.

· Red Maple started growing over a stump and developed with a large opening at the base yielding a circumference of 19 feet.

· The Blackwater River Preserve is home to 75 of the largest Cypress trees. Cypress knees can reach 8 feet tall, flood height in the swamp.

Some of these Cypress trees are 500 to 1000 years. Measurement of age is determined by boring and microscopically measuring the rings. A major drought was detected at about the time of the Jamestown settlement perhaps being responsible for its demise.

Virginia’s champion Cypress is 132 feet tall and was featured in a news article last year.

The national champion is in the Cat Island Swamp in Louisiana 57 feet around and 90 feet tall.

Prior to the white man settling this country, there is evidence that from Virginia to Texas there was an almost unbroken belt of pine forest. Some of those long-leaf pine trees were 4.5 feet wide. There was little underbrush and Ivorybill woodpeckers were common. Greater diversity of trees were found in and near swamps. Today, Tupelo-Cypress swamps, like the Dragon Run, contain the largest examples of trees. Adrienne Frank, Secretary