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MEASURING A TREE FOR NOMINATION
Fayette County Champion Tree Program uses
the same measurement and scoring criteria used for the National Register
of Big Trees (maintained by American Forests). Once you determine a tree’s
score, contact the Urban Forestry Program at 258-3451, or
by e-mailing us.
- Circumference -- Measure around the trunk in inches at 4.5 feet above
the ground. If a swelling, branch, or other obstruction occurs at 4.5 feet, measure
below the obstruction where the circumference is the least. If it branches below 4.5
feet, measure the largest single stem above that level.
- Height – Measure the vertical height of the tree to the nearest
foot. The most reliable tools for this purpose are an Abney hand level, a hypsometer,
a transit, or a clinometer. Lacking these tools, you can use a yardstick. Stand on
level ground to take measurements. Extend your arm out straight so that the top of
your fist is at eye level. Directly face the tree to be measured holding the yardstick
vertically in your extended fist so that the distance from the top of your fist to the
top of the yardstick is the same as the distance from your eyes to your fist. Slowly
(and carefully) walk backward away from the tree until you can see the base of the tree
by looking over the top of your fist and the top of the tree by looking over the top
of the yardstick. Measure the distance, in feet, from you to the tree. This distance
is the height of the tree. A leaning tree's height is measured vertically from the
ground to the top of the tree, not along the leaning trunk.
- Crown Spread -- Crown spread is the average width of the tree's crown.
This measurement should be taken from one edge of the crown, through the tree's trunk
to the opposite edge. Measure the spread at the widest and narrowest points in feet.
Add these measurements and divide by two to get the average crown spread.
Scoring -- In figuring a tree's total point score, one point is assigned
for every inch of stem circumference. One point is assigned for each foot of height,
and one-fourth point for each foot of average crown spread. The tree with the most
points is the champion for that species.
SCORE = circumference in inches + height in feet + one-fourth crown spread in feet
If a tree is within 5 points of the largest it will be declared a co-champion.
2003 CHAMPION TREE LIST
The Urban Forestry Program staff can be reached by phone at 258-3451,
or
e-mail us.
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