And later this year, some of the giants may earn a mention in the National Register of Big Trees. A willow oak of potential record proportions also is hidden on Corps of Engineers lands, she said. The 1998-99 National Register of Big Trees includes 139 national champs representing 125 species in 23 states. Among Georgia's 19 national champion trees are a Pignut hickory on St. Simons Island, an American holly in Brunswick and a Florida maple in Jasper County. Ark. The trees are measured by citizens who submit nominations to American Forests or the state big tree coordinators.
Circumference is only one aspect of scoring a potential national champion.
Height and crown spread is also taken into consideration. Trees scoring within five points of one another are deemed co-champions. The Lincoln County loblolly may be scored later this year to determine if it could earn a mention in the big tree register. The search for new champions is always under way since each year as new champions are crowned, others are dethroned. Nine were dethroned because their measurements had been taken incorrectly.