We’re looking for Wyoming’s largest trees… and you can help!
If you know of a tree in your community—whether that’s in your favorite park, or maybe even your own front yard—that could potentially be the largest tree of its species, we’d love to hear about it.
Reminder: Any Champion tree submission on privately owned land requires permission from the landowner.
All you need to do is send a few measurements and photos our way, and we’ll let you know if you’ve got a Champion on your hands! (As well as a new addition to Wyoming’s official Champion Tree Registry.)
For questions, please email our Champion Tree Program Coordinator William Ozment.
How to measure a potential Champion Tree
Gather materials
In order to measure your tree, you'll need a few basic tools. These include:
- Tape measure or Logger's tape
- Yardstick
- Clinometer or rangefinder
Measurement 1: Circumference
Measurement can be easy, fast, and fun. Start your tree's measurements by first utilizing your tape measure. You'll want to wrap this around the trunk of the tree, 4.5 feet from ground level.
Make sure to take a photo of the tape measure wrapped around the trunk. Your final number should be in the feet', inches" format. This is your circumference.
Measurement 2: Height
The next measurement you'll take is your tree's height. To do this, use a rangefinder or clinometer to get a quick and easy measurement.
If you find yourself without one of these tools, this is where your yardstick comes in.
The easiest way to measure height with a yardstick is to stand 100 feet away from the tree. You can either measure or pace this distance. Once at the 100-foot mark, you're going to hold your yardstick vertically in front of you, at about arm's length; make sure the zero mark is on the bottom!
Carefully line up the zero mark on your yardstick with the base of the tree (wherever the tree meets the ground). While holding the yardstick steady, find the inch mark where the tallest part of the tree aligns. Record this inch mark, then multiply it by 4; this is your tree's height. Your final number should be in the feet' format.
Measurement 3: Crown Spread
You're almost done! The final measurement you'll take is the average crown spread. This one may sound tricky, but you're only looking for two things:
- Where the width of the tree looks widest
- Where the width of the tree looks narrowest
These don't have to be perfect, either! Do your best to find these spots, then measure horizontally from edge to edge of the wide/narrow areas using your tape measure. This should give you one wide measurement and one that's a little narrower. These two measurements are your crown spread*. Make sure these two numbers are in the feet' format.
*Don’t worry about averaging your two crown spread measurements. Simply follow the instructions for submission, where you'll see how to enter your measurement information.
Take photos (4 total)
You've now collected three measurements: circumference, height, and crown spread. The final piece you need to collect from your tree is, of course, photos!
You've already taken a photo of your circumference, so now you need to capture your tree in its full glory; that means you should try to capture a photo of the whole tree. Try to get 4 photos of the whole tree, so that we can see all sides.
If your tree has any interesting characteristics like flowers, fruit, abnormal growth, or anything else you deem fascinating please include it in your submission!
Get ready to submit
Before you submit, let’s get you familiar with what the application will ask for.
Nominator information
This section is all about you! You'll fill in a few pieces of contact information like your name, address, email, and phone number. Concerned about data and information privacy? Everything that you submit is handled exclusively by our Division, and we will never share any personal information without prior permission.
If your submission is selected as a Wyoming State Champion Tree, we'd like to recognize you by including your name on the official register listing. This is completely optional, though, and if you'd like to remain anonymous, you can select the “I’'d Like to Remain Anonymous” option under the Nominator Information tab.
Owner information
Next up is information about who owns the tree. If you are both the Nominator and the Owner of the tree, go ahead and select the 'I am both the Nominator and the Owner' option. This will autofill your previously entered information, so you don't have to type it twice.
If you are the Nominator but not the Owner of the tree, please fill out as much Owner information as you can.
Tree description
Time to tell us a bit about your tree. First of all, we need to know what it is! To the best of your ability, enter the common name and the Latin name of the tree. If you really aren't sure what it is, you can refer to the Wyoming Native Tree ID to help you out.
Still not sure what your tree is? Send pictures of the whole tree, bark, leaves, and any fruit or other distinguishing characteristics to our Champion Tree Program Coordinator with the subject line 'Champion Tree ID.’
Next, you'll tell us how the tree looks health-wise. There are four options ranging from 'Poor' to 'Excellent'; choose whichever option you think best describes the state of your tree.
Finally, tell us about where your tree is on the property. This can be as simple as 'backyard' or as complex as you need it to be. If your tree is difficult to find, make sure to include plenty of details.
Measurements
Still got those measurements handy? It's time to put them to use!
You'll start by entering your circumference measurement. Remember, this is in the feet' inches" format, so there are separate boxes for each number (For example, for a tree measuring 12 feet 3 inches, you'll enter 12' in the left box and 3' in the right box.)
Now for height. In the box labeled 'Height,’ you'll input your final tree height measurement. Remember, this is in the feet' format, so you'll only put in one number. (For example, for a tree measuring 45 feet tall, you'll enter 45' in the box).
Next up: Crown spread. Here, you'll enter those two measurements you took of the spread of the tree's crown. You can enter the measurements in any order. Remember, this measurement is in the feet' format, so you'll enter one number per box (For example, for a crown spread measuring 67 feet and 78 feet for its two measurements, enter 67' in one box and 78' in the other.)
Photos
The hard part is over! It's now time to upload the pictures of your potential Champion Tree. Click on the box labeled 'Upload a File’; this will allow you to select multiple photos from your files.
Remember: Try to submit a photo of the circumference measurement, as well as four photos that cover each side of the tree. If you have any other interesting or pertinent photos, please upload them as well.
Once your photos are in place, you'll have the opportunity to provide any additional information we may need.
Submit
You're all done! At this stage, please review the information you've entered to ensure it’s correct, then click the 'Submit' button.
Your submission will go directly to our Champion Tree Program Coordinator, who will review your tree, score it, and then inform you of your tree's status.
f your submission has the potential to become a new Champion Tree, our Champion Tree Program Coordinator will discuss next steps with you, including measurement verification and Wyoming Tree Register updates.
Nominate a tree
Use the form below to submit your nomination for a new Champion Tree. (Prefer to do it the old-school way? Download a nomination form to mail to us instead.)