Measuring Majesty: Inside the Virginia Big Tree Program

Presentation given to Richmond Tree Stewards at the Science Museum of Virginia on January 13, 2026.

Transcript

1. Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 Measuring Majesty: Inside the Virginia Big Tree Program P. Eric Wiseman, PhD Associate Professor of Urban and Community Forestry Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation Virginia Tech vtuf@vt.edu linktr.ee/EricWiseman Source: Dylan Kania City of Suffolk Height: 112’ Crown: 146’ Trunk: 284” 433 pts. Quercus falcata**
2. Presentation Overview Purpose Share the story of the Virginia Big Tree Program and spark interest in big tree exploration • Mission and history of the Virginia Big Tree Program • People of the Virginia Big Tree Program • How to use the Virginia Big Tree Register • Measuring, scoring, and reporting big trees 02 • 31 Outline Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 Source: Eric Wiseman City of Chesapeake Height: 86’ Crown: 101’ Trunk: 346” 457 pts. Quercus laurifolia**
3. Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees 03 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 Charlotte Co. Height: 65’ Crown: 93’ Trunk: 328” 416 pts. Maclura pomifera** Source: Alex Cassell Promote the care and appreciation of all trees – big and small – and educate the Commonwealth about the value of trees and forests Document the largest trees in Virginia with integrity and credibility Share resources so that others can enjoy big trees and contribute to their stewardship
4. 04 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 Frederick Wilson Besley (1872 – 1960) • Maryland’s first state forester • Graduate of Yale School of Forestry and mentored by Gifford Pinchot • Enforced the nation’s first Roadside Tree Law in 1914 that promoted tree planting and maintenance • Organized the nation’s first Champion Tree Program in 1925 • Invented the measurement and scoring system used today nationally for crowning champion big trees Source: foresthistory.org Source: Bailey, R., and F. Zumbrun. 2005. Biographical Portrait, Fred Besley, The Pioneer of Forestry in Maryland (1872-1960). Forestry History Today. Spring/Fall 2005. Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees
5. 05 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 “The American Forestry Association heartily endorses the appeal by Mr. Joseph L. Stearns for the discovery and preservation of the largest specimens of outstanding American tree species.” September 1940 Source: archive.org/details/pub_american-forests Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees
6. 06 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 Lillian M. Cromelin • Associate Editor of American Forests Magazine • Created the system for registering national champion trees in 1940 Source: American Forests Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees
7. 07 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 1941: Report on American Big Trees 1961: Social Register of Big Trees 1978: National Register of Big Trees 2024: Register of National Champion Trees Source: nationalchampiontree.org/historical-registers Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees
8. 08 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees
9. 09 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees
10. 10 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees
11. People of Virginia Big Trees 11 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 Big Tree Interns Source: whro.org City of Chesapeake Height: 110’ Crown: 116’ Trunk: 252” 391 pts. Ulmus americana** Big Tree Volunteers Source: Eric Wiseman
12. People of Virginia Big Trees 12 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 Big Tree Interns Loudoun Co. Height: 72’ Crown: 70’ Trunk: 234” 324 pts. Tilia tomentosa* Big Tree Volunteers Source: Bob Vickers Source: Eric Wiseman
13. People of Virginia Big Trees 13 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 Big Tree Interns Albemarle Co. Height: 74’ Crown: 108’ Trunk: 321” 422 pts. Quercus alba* Big Tree Volunteers Source: John Rockett Source: Eric Wiseman
14. People of Virginia Big Trees 14 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 Big Tree Interns City of Suffolk Height: 67’ Crown: 56’ Trunk: 169” 250 pts. Sassafras albidum* Big Tree Volunteers Source: Lara Johnson Source: Eric Wiseman
15. People of Virginia Big Trees 15 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 Big Tree Interns Albemarle Co. Height: 95’ Crown: 116’ Trunk: 238” 362 pts. Quercus montana* Big Tree Volunteers Source: Adam Downing Source: Eric Wiseman
16. People of Virginia Big Trees 16 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 Big Tree Interns Source: Eric Wiseman Big Tree Volunteers City of Williamsburg Height: 18’ Crown: 17’ Trunk: 12” 34 pts. Illicium floridanum** Source: Master Naturalists – Historic Rivers
17. The Virginia Big Tree Register 17 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 • Register is a searchable online database connected to the big trees website • Currently comprises 1,350 active living trees across 285 species • Eligible species list includes native, naturalized, and culturally important non- native species • Minimum eligible tree size: ≥ 13’ height and ≥ 9.5” trunk circumference • Trees are recertified once every 10 years to update measurements, photos, and info
18. The Virginia Big Tree Register 18 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 • Register is a searchable online database connected to the big trees website • Currently comprises 1,350 active living trees across 285 species • Eligible species list includes native, naturalized, and culturally important non- native species • Minimum eligible tree size: ≥ 13’ height and ≥ 9.5” trunk circumference • Trees are recertified once every 10 years to update measurements, photos, and info
19. The Virginia Big Tree Register 19 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 • Register is a searchable online database connected to the big trees website • Currently comprises 1,350 active living trees across 285 species • Eligible species list includes native, naturalized, and culturally important non- native species • Minimum eligible tree size: ≥ 13’ height and ≥ 9.5” trunk circumference • Trees are recertified once every 10 years to update measurements, photos, and info
20. The Virginia Big Tree Register 20 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 • Register is a searchable online database connected to the big trees website • Currently comprises 1,350 active living trees across 285 species • Eligible species list includes native, naturalized, and culturally important non- native species • Minimum eligible tree size: ≥ 13’ height and ≥ 9.5” trunk circumference • Trees are recertified once every 10 years to update measurements, photos, and info
21. The Virginia Big Tree Register 21 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026
22. Measuring and Scoring Big Trees 22 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 1. It’s living 2. It’s an eligible species 3. It’s minimum eligible size 4. It’s the 3 largest of its species 5. It’s been verified by an expert Champions: one tree with the most total points Co-Champions: two trees that are within 3 points or 3% of each other Robert T. (Bob) Leverett
23. Measuring and Scoring Big Trees 23 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU • Reel tape • Pin flags • Plumb bob • Yard stick, clinometer, or laser hypsometer • GPS unit • Camera
24. Measuring and Scoring Big Trees 24 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 TRUNK CIRCUMFERENCE
25. Measuring and Scoring Big Trees 25 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 TREE HEIGHT (TO LIVE TOP) The tree’s height equals your horizontal distance (HD) from the tree plus your height (HT) Law of Similar Triangles
26. Measuring and Scoring Big Trees 26 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 TREE HEIGHT (TO LIVE TOP)
27. Measuring and Scoring Big Trees 27 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 AVERAGE CROWN SPREAD
28. Measuring and Scoring Big Trees 28 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 SCORE CALCULATION Is it an eligible tree? Alive, eligible species, minimum size, eligible trunk form Measure trunk circumference as suitable for the trunk form: ____(inches) Measure tree height from ground line to highest live stem: ____(feet) Measure average crown spread (1st max. ⊥ 2nd max.): ____(feet) 150 100 (90’/70’) 80 Trunk Circ. (1 point per inch) + Height (1 point per foot) + Crown spread (¼ point per foot) Big Tree Score Total 150 points 100 points 20 points 270 points
29. Reporting Big Trees 29 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 • Big tree reports are accepted year-round through our online portal • Contact us if uncertain about how a tree should be measured based on growth form • Take more photos and record more information than you think you’ll need • Precise tree location information and owner contact information are critical • Be sure to get tree owner approval • Stories about the tree enrich the content that we share on the website
30. Take Home messages 30 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026 • Virginia has a vibrant history of big trees from the Chesapeake Bay to the Cumberland Gap • The Virginia Big Tree Program aims to document the state’s largest trees and educate the public about their conservation • There is a network of dedicated staff and volunteers who can help you locate, measure, and report big trees • Spread the word about these Arboreal Giants -maybe there is one in your neck of the woods Grayson Co. Height: 29’ Crown: 44’ Trunk: 80” 120 pts. Crataegus punctata**
31. Measuring Majesty: Inside the Virginia Big Tree Program P. Eric Wiseman, PhD Associate Professor of Urban and Community Forestry Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation Virginia Tech vtuf@vt.edu linktr.ee/EricWiseman Source: www.presentermedia.com 31 • 31 Richmond Tree Stewards Meeting • January 13, 2026