ReLeaf Michigan’s 14th Biennial Michigan Big Tree Hunt Contest
The Results of the 2018-2019 Contest Are In!
The Results of the 2018-2019 Contest Are In!
Thank you to everyone who submitted trees to the 14th Michigan Big Tree Hunt Contest! We received more than 700 submissions from all over - 80 of Michigan's 83 counties. It was by far the biggest Big Tree Hunt ever, and we loved seeing all of your amazing trees! 23 trees were submitted as Potential New State Champions (the biggest tree of a species known in the state).
We took great care to verify every winner, using our network of foresters and "tree people" to track down all the potential winners and check the measurements. That said, let's get to the big winners!
We took great care to verify every winner, using our network of foresters and "tree people" to track down all the potential winners and check the measurements. That said, let's get to the big winners!
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LARGEST TREE IN MICHIGAN
(nominator of any age) Nominator: James Wegner Species: Red Oak Location: Marion County: Osceola Measurement: 384" (32 feet!) around |
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LARGEST TREE IN MICHIGAN
(nominator 15 or younger) Nominators: Stephanie and Patrick Bushey Species: Cottonwood Location: Saline County: Washtenaw Measurement: 312" around |
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LARGEST WHITE PINE IN MICHIGAN
Nominator: Heather Sewell Species: White Pine Location: Askel County: Houghton Measurement: 204" |
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LARGEST TREE IN EACH COUNTY and NEW POTENTIAL STATE CHAMPIONS
For a complete text list of all winning trees per county, click here.
For a presentation of each winner with pictures, click here.
For a complete text list of all winning trees per county, click here.
For a presentation of each winner with pictures, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get the specific locations of the winning trees, so I can take a look?
Due to privacy issues and the fact that many trees are located on private property, the locations of the winning trees are not released.
How does the tree I entered compare to the largest one currently in the state?
You can search the complete list of current state champion trees by following the directions at this page.
My tree is a winner, but I was unable to attend the award ceremony. Will I receive my certificate and gift?
Yes! Due to the number of winners, please give us at least 3 weeks to get you your certificate and gift.
When will the next Big Tree Hunt contest begin?
The next Big Tree Hunt will begin in the spring of 2020. The contest will then run until late in 2021. The award ceremony will be held in the spring of 2022. Watch our Facebook page, e-newsletter and website for updated information in early 2020.
How long will it be before my potential state champion is confirmed as to whether it is a state champion?
Additional measurements need to be taken by a state verifier before the tree is confirmed as a state champion (e.g height and crown spread). This process is not managed by ReLeaf Michigan, and it can take up to six months.
Where do I get the specific locations of the winning trees, so I can take a look?
Due to privacy issues and the fact that many trees are located on private property, the locations of the winning trees are not released.
How does the tree I entered compare to the largest one currently in the state?
You can search the complete list of current state champion trees by following the directions at this page.
My tree is a winner, but I was unable to attend the award ceremony. Will I receive my certificate and gift?
Yes! Due to the number of winners, please give us at least 3 weeks to get you your certificate and gift.
When will the next Big Tree Hunt contest begin?
The next Big Tree Hunt will begin in the spring of 2020. The contest will then run until late in 2021. The award ceremony will be held in the spring of 2022. Watch our Facebook page, e-newsletter and website for updated information in early 2020.
How long will it be before my potential state champion is confirmed as to whether it is a state champion?
Additional measurements need to be taken by a state verifier before the tree is confirmed as a state champion (e.g height and crown spread). This process is not managed by ReLeaf Michigan, and it can take up to six months.
Photo Gallery of Big Tree Hunt Submissions
Note: This is not a complete gallery of submissions, just a handful of some of the wonderful entries. For pictures of all the winning trees, look at this presentation.
Thank to everyone who took part in this statewide effort to track these vital, historical, living monuments.The next Big Tree Hunt contest will begin in the spring of 2020 and run until the end of 2021.
Anyone Can Participate!
The Michigan Big Tree Hunt is a great activity for families, groups of friends, fun dates, or solo adventurers. By identifying big trees you can take part in a statewide effort to track these living landmarks. You could find the largest tree in your county or even the state! The biggest trees are nominated for the State Champion Tree List and can even be entered into the official National Register of Big Trees.
The Michigan Big Tree Hunt is a great activity for families, groups of friends, fun dates, or solo adventurers. By identifying big trees you can take part in a statewide effort to track these living landmarks. You could find the largest tree in your county or even the state! The biggest trees are nominated for the State Champion Tree List and can even be entered into the official National Register of Big Trees.
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Contest Details
Note: 2018-2019 Big Tree Hunt contest is closed. A new contest will begin in 2020. Rules:
Prizes:
Please note: Trees already listed in the Michigan Big Tree Register are not eligible for prizes. All participants are invited to the awards ceremony in late 2019. Details will be announced on this website, on ReLeaf Michigan's Facebook page and via our email list. Check back for more information. |
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About the Michigan Big Tree Hunt
ReLeaf Michigan created the Michigan Big Tree Hunt in 1993 to celebrate our state’s beauty and create a fun way to gather information about Michigan’s biggest trees. All age groups are encouraged to get out and join the hunt!
Sponsors:
• Arboriculture Society of Michigan
• Consumers Energy Foundation
• DTE Energy Foundation
• Michigan Botanical Foundation
• Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Urban and Community Forestry Program
• AdventureKEEN
Questions?
Contact us at bigtreehunt@releafmichigan.org or (800) 642-7353.
Big Tree of the Week
Every Monday, we share a picture of one of our Big Tree Hunt entries on the ReLeaf Michigan Facebook page as the "Big Tree of the Week." Follow our Facebook page to see the amazing trees!
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Get a Printed Entry Form at Your Library or Nature Center
Thanks to the many libraries and nature centers around Michigan who are carrying the Michigan Big Tree Hunt brochure.
Big Tree Hunt Featured In the News
The word is getting out! ReLeaf Michigan's Big Tree Hunt has been featured on several news outlets recently, including Michigan Radio and Lansing's WLNS.
Latest News:
Manistee County's Biggest Tree Identified in ReLeaf Michigan Big Tree Hunt contest (Manistee News Advocate)
West Bloomfield tree recognized in Big Tree Hunt contest (C and G News)
ReLeaf Michigan Announces Big Tree Hunt Winners (Midland Daily News)
Troy Tree Recognized as State Champ (C&G Newspapers)
ReLeaf Michigan Announces Winners in 2018-2019 Big Tree Hunt (Up North Voice)
ReLeaf Michigan Announces Winners (MyFenton)
Latest News:
Manistee County's Biggest Tree Identified in ReLeaf Michigan Big Tree Hunt contest (Manistee News Advocate)
West Bloomfield tree recognized in Big Tree Hunt contest (C and G News)
ReLeaf Michigan Announces Big Tree Hunt Winners (Midland Daily News)
Troy Tree Recognized as State Champ (C&G Newspapers)
ReLeaf Michigan Announces Winners in 2018-2019 Big Tree Hunt (Up North Voice)
ReLeaf Michigan Announces Winners (MyFenton)
August, 2019
Lara Edwards, ReLeaf Michigan's program coordinator, was interviewed live on Fox17 in Grand Rapids.
Watch the interview.
Lara Edwards, ReLeaf Michigan's program coordinator, was interviewed live on Fox17 in Grand Rapids.
Watch the interview.
May, 2019
Lara Edwards, ReLeaf's program coordinator, spoke with Dean Krauskopf on WJR, 760 AM in Detroit
Lara Edwards, ReLeaf's program coordinator, spoke with Dean Krauskopf on WJR, 760 AM in Detroit
March, 2019
Lara Edwards, ReLeaf's program coordinator, on the Great Outdoors with Tom Lounsbury on WLEW 102.1.
Lara Edwards, ReLeaf's program coordinator, on the Great Outdoors with Tom Lounsbury on WLEW 102.1.