Nebraska Champion Tree Program
The Nebraska Champion Tree Program is administered by the Nebraska Forest Service. The purpose of the program is to promote public awareness of Nebraska's forest and tree resources by searching for the state’s largest trees.
National Champions
While trees in Nebraska may not grow as large as trees in other parts of the country, Nebraska still has some pretty large specimens. Formerly, Nebraska's largest known tree was an eastern cottonwood located southeast of Seward. It was 36 feet 9 inches in circumference, 85 feet tall, and had an average crown spread of 107 feet. The eastern cottonwood is our state tree. Until it's death during the summer of 2007, American Forests' champion tree program recognized this tree as a National Champion.
Currently, a dwarf chinkapin oak and Scotch pine in Nebraska are National Champion Trees.
Nominations
To nominate a champion tree in Nebraska, first view the nomination guidelines including directions on how to measure the tree. You can submit your nominations on-line or send in a completed form and a photo of the tree. You can print the form directly from your computer. If you need a form mailed to you contact Chip Murrow.
The Nebraska Champion Tree Register
The Nebraska Champion Tree Register lists the most common native and introduced tree species in Nebraska. Most of the listed species are described in Trees of Nebraska (Nebraska Cooperative Extension EC 92-1774-X). The register annotates Native Nebraska trees, State Co-Champions and Nebraska trees that are National Champions.
NEBRASKA CHAMPION TREE REGISTER
Visit the National Register of Big Trees on the American Forests Internet site.
Nebraska Heritage Tree Program
The Nebraska Heritage Tree Program is a cooperative effort between the Nebraska Forest Service and Nebraska Community Forestry Council.
You can listen to an audio clip about the program on the Nebraska Ag Almanac web site - http://agalmanac.unl.edu/. You will need to download RealOne audio player to hear this clip.
Most communities in Nebraska have extraordinary trees under which town founders met to draw up community plans, trees that grow at historic places, birthplaces of Nebraska’s historic figures, places where legendary events occurred. Nominating a tree for the register gives each community an excellent opportunity to celebrate Nebraska heritage. The Nebraska Heritage Tree Program provides an opportunity for every community across the state to recognize their tree resources by nominating a distinctive tree for the program register.
Trees have continued to fulfill man’s necessities, supplying food, shelter, aesthetics and fuel. Some trees have stood watch over lives and events that represent the fabric of our state. Nebraskans are fortunate to have a rich and colorful historic heritage. By viewing the past through the unique perspective of trees, we hope this heritage will endure for future generations. Each community has a tree that is a landmark, a living witness. It is our goal to identify and recognize these trees and present their legacy in the Nebraska Register of Heritage Trees. Pictured at left is Lone Tree near Central City. It was a visual marker for pioneers as they crossed the plains of Nebraska.
A tree may be eligible for the Nebraska Register of Heritage Trees if:
- The tree is figurative in legend, lore or common perception
- The tree stands at the home of a person who played a role in Nebraska history as a leader, writer or other significant contribution
- The tree stands at or near where an event occurred that affected Nebraska’s development and its citizens
- The tree was planted by an individual or group whose experience is of significance
- The tree is illustrated in sketches, journals, photographs or writings, related to a historical event
The Nebraska Register of Heritage Trees will be unique in that it will be a collection of trees that have served as living witnesses in the state of Nebraska. The register will include tales, photographs and a journey into Nebraska’s past through the special accounts of these famous storytellers. All of Nebraska’s Heritage Trees will be listed on this web site.
Anyone can nominate a tree for inclusion into Nebraska’s Heritage Tree Program. If you know of a heritage tree that you would like to nominate for consideration, send a completed nomination and photograph to:
| Eric Berg |
| Nebraska Forest Service |
| Community Forestry Program Leader |
| 107 Plant Industry Bldg., P.O. Box 830815 |
| Lincoln, NE 68583-0815 |
The nomination form can be downloaded here in Adobe Acrobat format. Or you can submit your tree on-line.
View potential Heritage Trees by clicking on the button below. Heritage trees will be confirmed by the Nebraska Community Forestry Council once applications have been reviewed and verified.
For more information call (402) 472-6511 or email: eberg2@unl.edu
