Deadline for 2014 Big Tree Candidates is Dec. 31

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has issued a reminder that Dec. 31 is the deadline for nominations for Hawai`i candidates to the 2014 National Register of Big Trees.

Since 1940, 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 United States.

Sponsored by The Davey Tree Expert Company, the National Register of Big Trees records the largest trees of each species in the United States based on height, circumference and average crown spread.

American Forests, a non-profit conservation organization, publishes an updated version of the register twice a year.

DLNR Forestry Program Manager Sheri S. Mann noted that one the Hawai`i’s additions to the 2013 list, a mamane tree in the Pu`u Wa`a Wa`a Forest Reserve in North Kona, has been included in American Forests 2014 Calendar.

The tree was one of six in Hawaii added to the big tree list this year, bringing the number of national champions located in the Aloha State to 10.

The wiliwili tree is another national Big Tree champion. It is located in the gated Pu`u Lani Ranch subdivision in Pu`uanahulu. DLNR photo.

“Anyone can be a big tree hunter,” said Sherri Shannon, coordinator of the national program. “It’s because of avid tree lovers that we are able to find some of the nation’s biggest trees.”

The DLNR is also coordinating a Hawai`i Big Tree Competition recognizing the biggest trees in the state using the same parameters as the national event.

To learn more about American Forests’ National Big Tree Program or its measuring guidelines, go to http://www.americanforests.org/bigtrees/. For information on Hawaii’s Big Tree competition visit http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/info/big-tree/.