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Massachusetts Legacy Tree Program

Through the Legacy Tree Program and the National Champion Tree Registry, the Department of Conservation and Recreation Forestry Program formally recognizes the largest and most interesting known tree of each species, trees of historical origins, and other trees of unique and significant importance growing within the state of Massachusetts.

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Legacy Tree Program

Take the Legacy Tree Program’s Virtual Tour

legacy tree

Do you know of a big, unique, or significant tree? A tree that is compelling for its size, historical or cultural value, or botanical interest? If so, the DCR's Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry Legacy Tree Program may be of interest to you. 

The DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry is looking for nominations for big, unique, or significant trees all over Massachusetts.  

Once we process your nomination, a trained forester will visit the tree to photograph the tree and verify the measurements. Trees that are included on the roster of Legacy Trees have a historical or cultural value, botanical interest, or whose size falls within 25 percentage points of the current champion for the species. If the tree you nominated is large enough, Bureau staff or partners will determine if your Legacy Tree nomination is a state Champion Tree! 

Please note that the Legacy Tree Program does not afford any special or legal protection under the Commonwealth's Shade Tree Law, M.G.L. Chapter 87.

Additional Resources   for Legacy Tree Program

Open XLSX file, 51.67 KB,  Massachusetts 2024 Legacy Tree List (English, XLSX 51.67 KB)

Nominate a Tree

Your participation is strongly encouraged!

To nominate a tree, simply fill out the online form below or download the nomination form in "Additional Resources" and mail to the address on the form.  Submit the form to the Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry. Once the form is submitted, field inspectors will verify the tree species and measurements. If the field inspectors determine that your tree is a contender for the Champion Tree Registry, it will undergo further measurements.

Nominators and landowners will be notified when a tree is included in the Legacy Tree Program or if their nomination is considered for the Champion Tree Registry. With permission, tree information will be posted on our website. If the Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry determines your tree is a Champion Tree in Massachusetts, it will be forwarded to American Forests for consideration in the National Champion Tree Register.

Key Actions   for Nominate a Tree

How to Measure a Tree  Legacy Tree Online Nomination Form 

Additional Resources   for Nominate a Tree

Open file,  National Champion Tree Register

Is your Legacy Tree a Champion Tree?

Using the American Forests Champion Tree point system, a trained forester will determine if your Legacy Tree is a Champion Tree. Trees of the same species are compared by total points and the tree with the highest total points is the Champion.

The Champion Tree formula is: Trunk Circumference (inches) + Height (feet) + ¼ Average Crown Spread (feet) = Total Points

DCR will submit MA Champion Trees to the American Forests Champion Tree National Register.

Additional Resources   for Is your Legacy Tree a Champion Tree?

Open file,  How to Measure a Tree
Open XLSX file, 28.29 KB,  Champion Trees Updated 5-4-2024 (English, XLSX 28.29 KB)

Virtual Campus Arboretum Tours

Interested in virtually visiting more Legacy Trees?  Several nominated Legacy and Champion trees can be found on the campuses of UMass Amherst and Smith College.

The Frank A. Waugh Arboretum at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst

The Botanic Garden of Smith College

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