Michigan Big Tree Program

The Big Tree Database data is available through this page. It is published to a google spreadsheet. No data can be added or changed, and information about private individuals and land owners is not included here. 

Nominate a tree for the Michigan Big Tree database here.

How to Measure A Tree

Announcements:

On April 30 a new state champion was added to the Michigan Big Tree Register. The eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana, was nominated by Austin Patrie, and it's measurements certified by Don Carra. The tree is located in the Kleinstuck Preserve in Kalamazoo county. 

Its key measurements were girth of 133 inches, height of 101 feet, and average crown spread of 47 feet, for a total point score of 246. This far outdistances the previous champion, which scored 186 points, and is located in the Portland State Game Area. There are a total of 10 eastern red cedars on the current register.

History

For the past 65 years, the Michigan Botanical Club has maintained a scientific register of the largest trees of each species in the State of Michigan. Paul Thompson began this work and over the course of his 45 year tenure as Big Tree Coordinator, he personally measured and documented over 4000 trees. Paul was a visionary in this field. and our register is one of the oldest in the nation. Upon Paul's passing, Dr. Elwood "Woody" Ehrle became the new coordinator. Woody spent the first two years diligently sorting and organizing Paul's notes and records, and it was under his guidance that the first official register was published. In 2008 Andy Sawyer was appointed the Big Tree Coordinator. In 2017, Andy passed the reigns to our current Big Tree Coordinator, Ted Reuschel.

THE BIG TREES AND SHRUBS OF MICHIGAN Elwood B. Ehrle Michigan Big Tree Coordinator was published in 2006 in The Michigan Botanist about the Big Tree Program covers the background, data and locations of the big trees. You can read or download the pdf of the article. The article is 88 pages long and is over 1.5 MB. 

The Michigan Big Tree Register

The Michigan Big Tree register is important for several reasons. First it is a vital record of a precious natural resource. These trees are typically the oldest of their type, and therefore their genetic material is also the oldest and may play a critical role in species preservation. These trees are also growing at the physiological limit for their species, and if global climate change is occurring these trees will likely be the first to be affected. The register is also important because humans have always enjoyed a close relationship with trees. Many of us had a favorite tree from our childhood, a tree that provided shade, adventure, inspiration, or recreation. Trees have also been central to our history and our faith. Consider the metaphors of the "Tree of Life", "Our Family Tree", or "Our Roots", or the role that council trees and trail marker trees have played in our history. The register stands as a record of grand examples of these historically, spiritually, and personally important trees

10 Tallest Trees In Michigan:

1 - 155 ft. Blue Ash in Lenawee county (1983).

2 - 146 ft. American Elm in Wayne county (1990).

3 - 145 ft. Tuliptree/Yellow Poplar in Berrien county (2006).

4 - 143 ft. Eastern White Pine in Luce county (2007).

5 - 139 ft. Shingle Oak in Calhoun county (1991).

6 - 138 ft. Sycamore in Kalamazoo county (2001).

7 - 136 ft. Bur Oak in Lenawee county (1980).

8 - 135 ft. Pumpkin Ash in Wayne county (2001).

9 - 132 ft. Bigtooth Aspen in Marquette county (1984).

10 - 131 ft. White Ash in Leelanau county (2006).

10 Girthiest Trees In Michigan:

1 - 402 in. Black Willow in Grand Traverse county (2009).

2 - 389 in. White Willow in Ingham county (2011).

3 - 362 in. White Willow in Ingham county (2008).

4 - 361 in. Black Willow in Grand Traverse county (2009).

5 - 355 in. Weeping Willow in Van Buren county (2012).

6 - 347 in. Silver Maple in Luce county (2002).

7 - 343 in. Eastern Cottonwood in Wayne county (1992).

8 - 323 in. Black Willow in Washtenaw county (1982).

9 - 321 in. Weeping Willow in Clinton county (2010).

10 - 317 in. Weeping Willow in Eaton county (2012).

10 Highest Scoring Trees In Michigan:

1 - 490 in. Black Willow in Grand Traverse county (2009).

2 - 477 in. Silver Maple in Luce county (2002).

3 - 477 in. White Willow in Ingham county (2011).

4 - 473 in. Eastern Cottonwood in Wayne county (1992).

5 - 451 in. Black Willow in Grand Traverse county (2009).

6 - 450 in. Weeping Willow in Van Buren county (2012).

7 - 448 in. Black Willow in Washtenaw county (1982).

8 - 439 in. White Willow in Ingham county (2008).

9 - 438 in. Northern Red Oak in Van Buren county (2007).

10 - 418 in. Eastern Cottonwood in Ingham county (2012).