Central ND News

The North Dakota Forest Service has announced the addition of several new state champion trees and the recognition of second-place champions. State Forester Thomas Claeys expressed satisfaction with the declaration of four new champion trees and three second-place champions in the North Dakota Register of Champion Trees. The initiative aims to involve the public in forestry endeavors and foster an appreciation for these remarkable trees, inspiring efforts to protect and conserve them for future generations.

The Register of Champion Trees serves as an official catalog of the first and second largest trees of each species found in the state. Trees are evaluated using a formula from the National Champion Tree Program, which considers measurements of circumference at 4.5 feet from the ground, height, and average crown spread. The tree obtaining the highest total points becomes the champion of its species.

Among the new champions is a Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata) owned by Terry Wolf in Bismarck, with a total of 100.5 points, a circumference of 61 inches, a height of 33 feet, and an average crown spread of 26 feet. Also added to the register is a Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) owned by Stephanie Ropard in Fargo, nominated by Monica Pavek. This tree boasts 159.25 points with a circumference of 82 inches, a height of 67 feet, and an average crown spread of 41 feet.

Dean and Susan Thompson's Mugo pine (Pinus mugo), located in Minot, is another new champion, with 56.92 points, 28 inches in circumference, 22 feet in height, and an average crown spread of 27.67 feet. Susan Thompson notes that this tree, nominated by her son Cullan Thompson, began as a single-stemmed tree despite resembling a large shrub.

After a period without a champion Norway maple (Acer platanoides), the public responded with nominations, resulting in a new champion tree owned by Kenneth Birst in Bismarck. This tree holds 178.25 points with 127 inches in circumference, a height of 38 feet, and an average crown spread of 53 feet. A second-place Norway maple, owned by Pat Bain in Bismarck, has been recognized with 155 points, featuring a circumference of 94.5 inches, a height of 49 feet, and an average crown spread of 46 feet.

The Register also welcomes a second-place green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) owned by Keith Corliss in Fargo, with 206.18 points. This tree presents a circumference of 108 inches, a height of 84 feet, and an average crown spread of 56.72 feet. A second-place silver maple (Acer saccharinum) owned by Gerald and Lisa Azure in Bismarck garners 301.25 points, the most among the new entries, with a circumference of 208 inches, a height of 75 feet, and an average crown spread of 73 feet.

The North Dakota Forest Service encourages the public to share in the appreciation of these trees by respecting landowners when champion trees are located on private property. The Champion Tree Program in North Dakota is guided by the NDSU-North Dakota Forest Service and inspired by the National Champion Tree Program, currently based at the University of Tennessee Knoxville's School of Natural Resources.

Recordings of state champion trees are archived at the headquarters of the North Dakota Forest Service and are viewable at their website. For more information on the Register or nominating a champion tree, individuals can contact beth.hill@ndsu.edu.