New Champion Trees Crowned in 2023
- New champion white poplar tree, pictured with its nominator Dirk Churchill and his family at the base.
The Register is the official list of the first and second largest trees of each tree species in the state. Using a formula from the National Champion Tree Program, measurements of circumference at 4.5 feet from the ground, height, and average crown spread together award total points for each tree. The tree with the largest number of points is considered the champion of its individual species.
The chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) owned by Kaden Leier in Bismarck, North Dakota, is a new addition to the Register. This new state champion has a total of 103.19 points for having a circumference of 4 feet 4 inches, height of 44 feet, and average crown spread of 28 feet 9 inches. Chokecherry is the state fruit of North Dakota.
The white poplar (Populus alba), owned by Evelyn Christanto in Bismarck, ND, is a new addition to the Register. The tree was nominated by Dirk Churchill. This new state champion has a total of 310.4 points for having a circumference of 19 feet 5.5 inches, height of 60 feet, and average crown spread of 67 feet 9 inches.
- The North Dakota Register of Champion Trees had been missing a champion chokecherry nomination for many years; when a nomination from Bismarck came in 2023, the North Dakota Forest Service was excited to finally have a representative for North Dakota’s state fruit.
The Manchurian maple (Acer mandshuricum) owned by Greg Morgenson in Bismarck, is a new addition to the Register. This tree was nominated by Joel Allen, with the North Dakota Forest Service. This new state champion has a total of 73.6 points for having a circumference of 2 feet 9.1 inches, height of 35 feet, and average crown spread of 22 feet.
The Manchurian striped maple (Acer tegmentosum) owned by Greg Morgenson in Bismarck, is a new addition to the Register. This tree was nominated by Joel Allen, with the North Dakota Forest Service. This new state champion has a total of 68.62 points for having a circumference of 2 feet 9.2 inches, height of 29 feet 7 inches, and average crown spread of 23 feet 4.5 inches.
The three-flowered maple (Acer triflorum) owned by Greg Morgenson in Bismarck, is a new addition to the Register. This tree was nominated by Joel Allen, with the North Dakota Forest Service. This new state champion has a total of 70.646 points for having a circumference of 2 feet 11 inches, height of 29 feet, and average crown spread of 24 feet 7 inches.
The American elm (Ulmus americana) owned by the Patrick and Elizabeth Cronin in Fargo, is a new addition to the Register. This tree is the new second place state champion, and has a total of 235.75 points for having a circumference of 16 feet 4 inches, height of 87 feet, and average crown spread of 67 feet. This nomination is a welcome addition after the previous second place champion in Lisbon was infected with Dutch elm disease and had to be cut down a couple years ago.
Champion trees located on public land can usually be visited without a problem. However, if a champion tree is located on private property, we ask that you respect the landowner and ask permission before making a visit.
The Champion Tree program of North Dakota is led by the NDSU-North Dakota Forest Service. It is patterned after the National Champion Tree Program, which now resides under the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s School of Natural Resources.
All state champion tree records are on file at the headquarters of the North Dakota Forest Service and can be viewed on our website at https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/ndfs/about-north-dakota-forestry/champion-trees-of-north-dakota. To obtain a Register or information on how to nominate a champion, contact beth.hill@ndsu.edu.
