According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, American Forests have documented the largest known specimens of every native and naturalized tree in the United States since 1940. Each Big Tree receives a score based on trunk circumference, crown spread and total height.
Belmont County residents can help find champion-sized trees in their back yards, community parks and cemeteries across the county. Big Trees are generally found in yards, parks, arboretums and cemeteries where their size stands out. However, they are less frequent in dense forests where trees have much more competition for growth.
Belmont Soil & Water Conservation District invites Belmont County residents to search for a Big Tree. The winning trees landowner(s)/nominator(s) will be recognized at the Belmont SWCD Annual Meeting and Banquet held in November.
Big Tree Contest Nomination Process
Belmont Soil & Water Conservation District accepts nominations for potential champions. Anyone can nominate a tree. The deadline for submitting nominations for the Belmont County Big Tree Contest is October of each year. After October 1, nominations will be accepted and evaluated for the following year.
Nominating forms for Belmont County's Big Tree Contest are available by submitting the electronic form, or download the nomination form in pdf format. Please note: It is the responsibility of the person nominating the tree to take preliminary measurements using the diagram available on the form.
More information about how to measure a big tree can be found on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry Website at www.dnr.state.oh.us/forestry. Click on the Ohio Big Trees link, then Measuring a Tree
Belmont Soil & Water Conservation District staff will assess nominated trees to determine their eligibility for the Big Tree Contest.
Belmont County Big Tree Contest