New Champion Cottonwood in Cass County - the new largest tree in North Dakota!

Bismarck – Citizens of North Dakota were enthusiastic last year in searching for the biggest trees of each species in the state. State Forester Thomas Claeys is pleased to announce that nine new champion trees and one new second place champion have been added to the North Dakota Register of Champion Trees. The Register is the official list of the first and second largest trees of each tree species in the state.

The cottonwood (Populus deltoides), owned by Paul Deede on a farmstead in Cass County, is a new addition to the Register and is now considered the largest tree in North Dakota. The tree was nominated by Glen Libbrecht. This new state champion has a total of 493 points for having a circumference of 29 feet 3 inches, height of 123 feet, and average crown spread of 77 feet 2 inches.

The river birch (Betula nigra) owned by Michele Stockert in Bismarck, North Dakota, is a new addition to the Register. The tree was nominated by D.G. Elness of Cavalier. This new state champion has a total of 119.63 points for having a circumference of 4 feet 8 inches, height of 50 feet, and average crown spread of 54.5 feet.

The slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) owned by the Hansen Family Trust south of Valley City, North Dakota, is a new addition to the Register. The tree was nominated by Sandy Hansen of Valley City. This new state champion has a total of 217.75 points for having a circumference of 11 feet, height of 66 feet, and average crown spread of 79 feet.

The littleleaf linden (Tilia cordata) owned by the Arlan Scholl of the Bismarck-Mandan Elks Lodge in Bismarck, North Dakota, is a new addition to the Register. The tree was nominated by Duane Elness of Cavalier. This new state champion has a total of 157.5 points for having a circumference of 8 feet 3.25 inches, height of 47 feet, and average crown spread of 45 feet.

New Champion Slippery Elm

The common honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos) owned by the Sharon Fischer in Bismarck, North Dakota, is a new addition to the Register. The tree was nominated by Duane Elness of Cavalier. This new state champion has a total of 169.63 points for having a circumference of 7 feet 9 inches, height of 64 feet, and average crown spread of 50.5 feet.

The yellow birch (Betula alleganiensis) owned by the Reece Brown north of Cavalier, North Dakota, is a new addition to the Register. The tree was nominated by Duane Elness of Cavalier. This new state champion has a total of 81.65 points for having a circumference of 2 feet 5 inches, height of 46 feet, and average crown spread of 26.6 feet.

The northern pin oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis) owned and nominated by Duane Elness of Cavalier, North Dakota, is a new addition to the Register. This new state champion has a total of 66.8 points for having a circumference of 2 feet 4.3 inches, height of 31 feet, and average crown spread of 30 feet.

The bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis) owned and nominated by Duane Elness of Cavalier, North Dakota, is a new addition to the Register. This new state champion has a total of 60.5 points for having a circumference of 1 feet 6.5 inches, height of 36 feet, and average crown spread of 24 feet.

New Champion Apricot Tree

The apricot (Prunus armeniaca) owned by the Ralph Messer in Bismarck, North Dakota, is a new addition to the Register. The tree was nominated by Duane Elness of Cavalier, and is the west apricot tree located on the south side of the Simchat Torah Beit Midrash in Bismarck. This new state champion has a total of 136.78 points for having a circumference of 8 feet, height of 33.5 feet, and average crown spread of 29.125 feet. The new second place champion apricot is the eastern apricot tree on the south side of the building.

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 sponsored by the NDSU-North Dakota Forest Service. It is patterned after the National Big Tree Program sponsored by American Forests.

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.