Nominations Being Accepted for 2014 Big Tree List

Nominations are being accepted for Hawai`i candidates for the 2014 National Register of Big Trees.

The Aloha State currently has 10 national champions representing the largest specimens of their species, with eight of those located on the Big Island.

Six of the Hawai`i champions – including five from the Big Island – were new to the list in 2013.

According to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, one of those, a mamane tree located in the Pu`u Wa`awa`a Forest Reserve, has been included in the American Forests 2014 Calendar.

The 10 nationally crowned champions in Hawaii include:
• Koa, in South Kona, Hawaii Island
• Niu (Coconut Palm), in Hawea Heiau Complex and Keawawa Wetland, Oahu
• Kolea lau nui, in Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve, Hawaii Island
• Wiliwili, at Puu Lani Ranch, Hawaii Island
• Hau (Sea Hibiscus), in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Island
• Aalii (Hopbush), at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, Maui
• Olopua (Hawaiian olive), in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Island
• Papalakepau, in Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve, Hawaii Island
• Manele (Soapberry Wingleaf), in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Island
• Mamane, in Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve, Hawaii Island

American Forests’ National Register of Big Trees contains champions in more than 780 species. More than 200 species, including Psidium guajava or common guava, still are without designated champions.

Since 1940, the American Forests National Big Tree Program has promoted the importance of planting and caring for trees and forests in helping to sustain healthy ecosystems and life on Earth. The program has campaigned to locate, protect and save the biggest specimens of every native and naturalized tree species in the US.

For information or to submit potential new champions for the Big Tree Program, contact Nicholas Joly at 808-587-0915.

To learn more about American Forests’ National Big Tree Program or the Big Tree measuring guidelines, go to http://www.americanforests.org/bigtrees/.