Measuring Majesty: Inside the Virginia Big Tree Program

Presentation given at the Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Upperville, Virginia for the Ancient and Veteran Tree Short Course on October 8, 2026

Transcript

1. Measuring Majesty: Inside the Virginia Big Tree Program P. Eric Wiseman, PhD Quercus falcata** City of Suffolk Height: 112’ Crown: 146’ Trunk: 284” 433 pts. Associate Professor of Urban and Community Forestry Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation Virginia Tech vtuf@vt.edu linktr.ee/EricWiseman Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 Source: Dylan Kania
2. Presentation Overview Purpose Share the story of the Virginia Big Tree Program and spark interest in big tree exploration Quercus laurifolia** City of Chesapeake Height: 86’ Crown: 101’ Trunk: 346” 457 pts. Outline • 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 Source: Eric Wiseman Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 02 • 31
3. Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees Maclura pomifera** Charlotte Co. Height: 65’ Crown: 93’ Trunk: 328” 416 pts. 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 Source: Alex Cassell Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 03 • 31
4. Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees 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 Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 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. 04 • 31
5. Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees “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 Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 05 • 31
6. Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees Lillian M. Cromelin Source: American Forests • Associate Editor of American Forests Magazine • Created the system for registering national champion trees in 1940 Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 06 • 31
7. Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees 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 Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 07 • 31
8. Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 08 • 31
9. Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 09 • 31
10. Mission and History of Virginia Big Trees Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 10 • 31
11. People of Virginia Big Trees Big Tree Volunteers Ulmus americana** City of Chesapeake Height: 110’ Crown: 116’ Trunk: 252” 391 pts. Big Tree Interns Source: whro.org Source: Eric Wiseman Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 11 • 31
12. People of Virginia Big Trees Big Tree Volunteers Tilia tomentosa* Loudoun Co. Height: 72’ Crown: 70’ Trunk: 234” 324 pts. Big Tree Interns Source: Bob Vickers Source: Eric Wiseman Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 12 • 31
13. People of Virginia Big Trees Big Tree Volunteers Quercus alba* Albemarle Co. Height: 74’ Crown: 108’ Trunk: 321” 422 pts. Big Tree Interns Source: John Rockett Source: Eric Wiseman Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 13 • 31
14. People of Virginia Big Trees Big Tree Volunteers Sassafras albidum* City of Suffolk Height: 67’ Crown: 56’ Trunk: 169” 250 pts. Big Tree Interns Source: Lara Johnson Source: Eric Wiseman Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 14 • 31
15. People of Virginia Big Trees Big Tree Volunteers Quercus montana* Albemarle Co. Height: 95’ Crown: 116’ Trunk: 238” 362 pts. Big Tree Interns Source: Adam Downing Source: Eric Wiseman Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 15 • 31
16. People of Virginia Big Trees Big Tree Volunteers Planera aquatica* City of Williamsburg Height: 33’ Crown: 61’ Trunk: 76” 124 pts. Big Tree Interns Source: Eric Wiseman Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 Source: Master Naturalists – Historic Rivers 16 • 31
17. The Virginia Big Tree Register • Register is a searchable online database connected to the big trees website • Currently comprises 1,367 active living trees across 281 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 Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 17 • 31
18. The Virginia Big Tree Register • 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 nonnative 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 Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 18 • 31
19. The Virginia Big Tree Register • 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 nonnative 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 Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 19 • 31
20. The Virginia Big Tree Register • 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 nonnative 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 Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 20 • 31
21. The Virginia Big Tree Register Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 21 • 31
22. Measuring and Scoring Big Trees Robert T. (Bob) Leverett 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. It’s alive It’s an eligible species It’s minimum eligible size It’s the 3 largest of its species 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 Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 22 • 31
23. Measuring and Scoring Big Trees WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU • Reel tape • Pin flags • Plumb bob • Yard stick, clinometer, or laser hypsometer • GPS unit • Camera Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 23 • 31
24. Measuring and Scoring Big Trees TRUNK CIRCUMFERENCE Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 24 • 31
25. Measuring and Scoring Big Trees TREE HEIGHT (TO LIVE TOP) Law of Similar Triangles The tree’s height equals your horizontal distance (HD) from the tree plus your height (HT) Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 25 • 31
26. Measuring and Scoring Big Trees TREE HEIGHT (TO LIVE TOP) Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 26 • 31
27. Measuring and Scoring Big Trees AVERAGE CROWN SPREAD Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 27 • 31
28. Measuring and Scoring Big Trees SCORE CALCULATION Is it an eligible tree? Alive, eligible species, minimum size, eligible trunk form Measure trunk circumference as suitable for the trunk form: 150 ____(inches) Measure tree height from ground line to highest live stem: 100 ____(feet) Measure average crown spread (1st max. ⊥ 2nd max.): 80 (90’/70’) ____(feet) Trunk Circ. (1 point per inch) 150 points + Height (1 point per foot) 100 points + Crown spread (¼ point per foot) 20 points Big Tree Score Total Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 270 points 28 • 31
29. Reporting Big Trees • 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 Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 29 • 31
30. Take Home Messages • 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 Crataegus punctata** Grayson Co. Height: 29’ Crown: 44’ Trunk: 80” 120 pts. • 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 Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 30 • 31
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 Oak Spring Garden Foundation • October 8, 2026 31 • 31