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Archive for the big tree hunt tag

Deadline nears for Michigan Big Tree Hunt contest

August 8, 2022 • Leave a Comment

ReLeaf Michigan, the only statewide non-profit tree planting and education organization in Michigan, has launched its 15th biennial Michigan Big Tree Hunt contest. The contest, which offers prizes for identifying the biggest trees in Michigan, is open to participants of all ages.

The largest trees in the state can be found anywhere: a backyard, a local park, or a hiking trail. ReLeaf Michigan awards certificates and prizes for the largest tree submitted from each county, for the overall largest tree in different age groups, and for potential state champion trees. Even if the tree submitted is not as large as the currently listed state champion of that species, it’s important to still submit, since the current champion may have died or since been removed.

ReLeaf Michigan started the Michigan Big Tree Hunt in 1993 to celebrate our state’s beauty and create a fun way to gather information about Michigan’s biggest trees. The contest is an opportunity for all age groups to help track these vital historical living landmarks.

More contest details and the entry form are available at www.bigtreehunt.com. Entries are due by August 19, 2022. For questions not answered on the website, please email bigtreehunt@releafmichigan.org or call 800-642-7353.

ReLeaf Michigan announces Big Tree Hunt winners for 2018-2019

January 10, 2020 • 2 Comments

The largest tree in Michigan was submitted by James Wegner: a red oak measuring 384 inches around (32 feet!), located in the city of Marion in Osceola County.

ReLeaf Michigan, a non-profit tree planting and education organization, celebrated the conclusion of its biennial Big Tree Hunt contest, which awards participants for identifying the biggest trees in Michigan.

Running from spring 2018 through fall 2019, more than 700 entries were sent in from people all across the state, including 80 of Michigan’s 83 counties. The winning entry for each county was verified on-site by professional arborists and foresters. The trees were found in all sorts of places, including backyards, local parks, cemeteries and hiking trails. Since many trees are on private property, the specific location of every winning tree is not made public.

ReLeaf Michigan began the Big Tree Hunt in 1993 to celebrate Michigan’s beauty and create a fun way to gather information about Michigan’s biggest trees. The contest is an opportunity for all age groups to get outside, enjoy trees, and help track these vital historical living landmarks. For more information, including photos and the winners list by county, click here.

The Michigan Big Tree Hunt Contest deadline is approaching

August 8, 2019 • Leave a Comment

big-tree-hunt-0719 — ReLeaf Michigan, a statewide tree planting and education nonprofit, started the Michigan Big Tree Hunt in 1993 to celebrate our state’s beauty and gather information about Michigan’s biggest trees.

The Michigan Big Tree Hunt Contest, sponsored by ReLeaf Michigan, closes on September 3, 2019. All Michiganders are encouraged to find a Michigan big tree and enter it into the contest. Grab a friend or family member and hunt for the big trees that surround us every day in parks, on nature trails, or in our own backyards.

When the contest closes, certificates and prizes will be awarded for the largest tree submitted from each Michigan county, the largest tree found by a youth hunter (15 and younger) and adult hunter (16 and older), the largest eastern white pine found, and for potential state champion trees.

ReLeaf Michigan, a statewide tree planting and education nonprofit, started the Michigan Big Tree Hunt in 1993 to celebrate our state’s beauty and gather information about Michigan’s biggest trees. Contest entries provide potential state champion trees to Michigan’s Big Tree Registry as well as the National Register of Big Trees.

To enter your big tree or to learn more, visit www.bigtreehunt.com.

Wanted: Sightings of Michigan’s largest trees for the Big Tree Hunt

September 17, 2018 • 2 Comments

Whether you’re out in the woods or wandering through city streetscapes, keep your eyes open—you may spot one of Michigan’s largest trees!

Started by ReLeaf Michigan in 1993, the Big Tree Hunt takes place every two years and helps catalog the state’s biggest trees. Your assignment: Seek out the most majestic trees in your area and report them, because tree-spotters can earn certificates and prizes. “This is a really fun reason to get out and enjoy nature,” said Melinda Jones, executive director of ReLeaf Michigan. “It also helps raise awareness and enjoyment of the trees in our landscape.”

The Big Tree Hunt is one way to discover candidates for the National Register of Big Trees, which so far includes 19 Michigan trees. The biggest tree spotted on the last hunt is a sycamore in Lenawee County with a 315-inch girth.

ReLeaf Michigan is a nonprofit group that encourages planting trees. Entries, either online or hard copy, will be accepted until September 3, 2019. Find out how to participate by visiting www.bigtreehunt.com or calling 800-642-7353.

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