NH Big Tree Program
Purpose
- To locate the most outstanding examples of the various tree species which grow in New Hampshire
- To obtain the cooperation of the tree owners to protect and preserve specimens as landmarks for future generations to enjoy
- To stimulate interest in and greater appreciation for trees as a natural resource
- Anyone can nominate a tree to be a Big Tree Champion.
- A registry of all recognized New Hampshire Big Trees as well as a list of all County Big Trees is maintained by the NH Community Tree Steward Program.
- All recognized New Hampshire Big Trees will be considered for submission for the National Champion Big Tree Registry sponsored by American Forests.
New Hampshire has a long and interesting history of association with trees. Since the days when "mast pines" were harvested for the British Navy, trees have played an integral role in our state's character and economy. The days when the vast expanse of original forest covered most of the state have gone. Today, relatively few large, venerable trees remain to remind us of those earlier times.
In an effort to find, record, and recognize these magnificent individual trees, the New Hampshire Big Tree Program was started in 1950. The list of recorded champions now includes more than 200 giants of their kind. Natural Resources Steward volunteers help identify, measure, and record these big trees at the state, county and national levels. The NH Big Tree program cooperates with the National Register of Big Trees through American Forests. For more information on the National Register of Big Trees.
Listings of NH's Big Trees
The NH Big Tree Team has published a list of the biggest trees of each species throughout the state. The State and County Listing of Big Trees contains the following information about the largest specimen of each species measured in New Hampshire: height, tree circumference, average crown diameter, the year the tree was measured, the location by city and county (because most of these trees are on private property exact locations aren't listed), and its status (national, state, or county champion).
The Introduced Big Trees is a list of non-native trees not yet recognized by the National program.
To Nominate A Big Tree as a Champion
Do you have a really big tree in your neighborhood, or know of a potential champion Big Tree? You can use the Big Tree list to search for new champion trees. First identify the tree and measure its circumference in inches at chest height. If the circumference measurement is larger or within a few inches of the same species tree on the Big Tree List, you may have a new champion! Whether or not you find an actual big tree champion, looking for the biggest trees in your neighborhood can be lots of fun and a great learning experience.
Please help us by following these steps:
|
This information will be sent to the volunteer NH Big Tree Coordinator. She will get in touch with you within a 2 month time frame.
Thank you for your nomination!
The New Hampshire Big Tree of the Month
Click here for all Big Tree of the Month Articles & Big Tree information
Big Tree of the Month for February, 2008 & 2012
Tamarack or American Larch (Larix laricina)
Anne Krantz, NH Big Tree Committee
A major tree of the northern boreal coniferous forest of North America, tamarack or American larch (Larix laricina), grows in the northern counties of NH. In southern NH, it grows naturally only in boggy locations, or in landscaping sites where it has been transplanted.
Tamarack is easy to identify in both winter and summer. It is the only deciduous conifer tree in NH. In the fall its needles turn a striking yellow color before they fall, leaving a very twiggy, dead -looking silhouette during the winter; usually a straight trunk with upward pointing branches at the top and horizontal branches lower down. Small cones (1/2” – ¾”) that look like little knobs or galls are attached along the top side of branches providing another distinctive winter identification clue – the only tree in winter with cones but no needles. The old, oval cones can remain on the branches for years after releasing their seeds.
Photo credit: by Anne Krantz. Used with permission.
(more about Tamarack or American Larch)
More Big Tree Articles & Publications
