Champion Tree Points

Champion trees are the largest of their kind, but how do we determine which is the "largest"? If you've visited our website, follow us on Facebook or Twitter, then you probably know we use a point system to determine the champions.

The point system is not something we came up, but is something that's used by every state and was created by American Forests. American Forests is the DC-based group that maintains the list of national champions (they also do a lot of other great things!).

The point system, commonly referred to as AFA points, is based on a tree's height, trunk circumference, and branch spread:

To determine the average branch spread, we measure the largest spread, then measure the spread perpendicular to it, and average those two measurements.

The trunk measurement is usually taken at 4.5 feet above the ground. However, measuring the trunk circumference can be tricky when you have a tree with multiple trunks. For all the details, check out American Forests' Big Tree Measuring Guidelines.

Determining the height can sometimes be tough, but with the right tools, a clinometer or a laser rangefinder, we can make an accurate measurement.