Through the Legacy Tree Program and the National Champion Tree Registry, the Department of Conservation and Recreation Forestry Program formally recognizes the largest known tree of each species, trees of historical origins, and other trees of unique and significant importance growing within the state of Massachusetts.
Do you know of a big, unique, or significant tree? A tree that is compelling for its age, size, form, history, species, or botanical interest? If so, the DCR's Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry Legacy Tree Program and Champion Tree Registry 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. Then, Bureau staff will determine if your Legacy Tree nomination is a Champion Tree contender!
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.
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.
