Have a Favorite Big Tree? Nominate it to Compete in the National Big Tree Competition



A Koa tree in Kona Hema Preserve, Hawai‘i that received a national title.
Photo courtesy Division of Forestry and Wildlife.



Think you have a champion candidate? Anyone can nominate a big tree
— currently 21 eligible species available for nominations in Hawai‘i.

HONOLULU --  The Department of Land and Natural Resources invites the public to help Hawai‘i compete in American Forests’ National Big Tree Program*. The Big Tree Program seeks the largest trees of their species in the United States - called National Champions. American Forests’ Fall 2012 National Register of Big Trees represents 780 National Champion trees.

There are currently 870 tree species eligible for nomination in the national program and over 200 species without champions. Last year, six trees from Hawai‘i gained national titles, including the following:

·        A Koa* in Kona Hema Preserve, Hawai‘i

·        Two Coconut trees* in Kapuaiwa Coconut Beach Park, Molokai
·        A Hau at Hulihe`e Palace, Hawaii
·        An `A`ali`i at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, Maui
·        A Mānele at Kipuka Puaulu, Volcano National Park, Hawai‘i

“These trees form the uniquely Hawaiian rainforest, an essential part of Hawaii's biological and cultural heritage. Because these native trees absorb rainfall and cloud water, protecting these forests is the most cost effective and efficient way to secure Hawaii's water supply,” said William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR Chairperson.

The State of Hawai‘i is looking forward to taking part in the Big Tree Program and is inviting the public to submit nominations for candidates of the following species:

Common Tree Name	Hawaiian Tree Name	Genus & Species
Koa	Koa	Acacia koa
Lama	Lama	Diospyros sandwicensis
Wiliwili	Wiliwili	Erythrina sandwicensis
'ohi'a ha	‘ōhi‘a ha	Syzygium sandwicense
Malaysian apple	‘ōhi‘a ai	Syzygium malaccense
White hibiscus	koki'o ke'oke'o	Hibiscus arnottianus
Hibiscus	ma’o hau hele	Hibiscus brackenridgei
Red Kauai Hibiscus	aloalo	Hibiscus clayii
Hawaiian holly	kāwa‘u	Ilex anomala
Kolea lau nui	Kōlea lau nui	Myrsine lessertiana
Hawai‘ian olive	Olopua	Nestegis sandwicensis
papala kepau	Pāpalakēpau	Pisonia brunoniana
Hawaiian Sumach	Nenelau	Rhus sandwicensis
Soapberry	Lonomea	Sapindus oahuensis
Mamane	Mamane	Sophora chrysophylla
Oahu prickly-ash	a‘e	Zanthoxylum oahuense
Paper Mulberry	Wauke	Broussonetia papyrifera
Coconut	niu,	Cocos nucifera
Sea Hibiscus	Hau	Hibiscus tiliaceus
Soapberry Wingleaf	Mānele	Sapindus saponaria
Hopbush	‘a‘ali‘i	Dodonaea viscosa

To nominate a tree, you need to provide three measurements: Trunk Circumference (inches), Height (feet), and Average Crown Spread (feet). These are combined to assign the tree a score. We also need to know the exact location to verify any candidates. If you have photographs of the tree, please include those in your submission.

American Forests, the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the country, advocates for the protection and expansion of America’s forests. Since 1990, they have planted more than 40 million trees. They work to restore watersheds to help provide clean drinking water, and replant forests destroyed by human action and by natural disasters.

To learn more about the specific measuring requirements please review the guidelines at the American Forests website http://www.americanforests.org/our-programs/bigtree/big-tree-measuring-guidelines/



Two Coconut trees in Kapuaiwa Coconut Beach Park, Molokai

were named national champions in the Big Trees Competition




Please send your measurements by      February 1, 2012 along with GPS           coordinates or specific directions to a candidate big tree to:                             



Hannah Bergemann
DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife Hannah.A.Bergemann@hawaii.gov
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325
Honolulu, HI  96813                                                           

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