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Big Trees of British Columbia
Introducation
Photos
needed! (Model
Release form)
How
to nominate a Big Tree
How
a Big Tree is determined
Step
1. Calculating Tree Measurements In The Field
Step
2. Calculating Points
Big
Tree nomination form
Links to
other Big Tree website
British
Columbia Register of Big Trees
Introduction
After several years without a home,
the British Columbia Register of Big Trees is now housed
at the BC Conservation Data Centre in Victoria. Modelled after
the American Forestry Association’s Social Register of
Big Trees, the registry records the biggest individuals for
each of BC’s native tree species.
The registry was established In
1986 by the B.C. Forestry Association. Big trees were nominated
by people who submitted information forms, photos and maps. The
man who initiated the register, and who located more record trees
than anyone else, was Randy Stoltmann. Randy published many of
the registry records in his book Guide to the Record Trees
of British Columbia (Stoltmann 1993).
The Register is no longer maintained
by the B.C. Forestry Association (now Forest Education B.C.),
and the files (containing maps and photographs) are missing. For
the last 5 years, people have been unable to nominate record trees.
Randy Stoltmann died in a tragic
ski-mountaineering accident in May of 1994. Shortly before his
death, Randy copied most of the registry records into a report
for the B.C. Conservation Data Centre (CDC). With these records
as a nucleus, the CDC has offered to become the new custodian
of the British Columbia Register of Big Trees.
PHOTOS NEEDED
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Unfortunately, the CDC record tree
files lack the original photographs. These must be replaced. If
you have photographs of any of British Columbia’s record
trees, please contact the CDC (250-356-0928). If any people appear
in your photo, please have them sign a Model Release
prior to submitting your photo. Otherwise your photograph cannot
be displayed on our website or in publications. To view
or print the release, click here.
Be sure to view the release in "Page Layout View" or
information in the header will not be visible. To download as
a Word 6 document (113kB), right click here,
and choose the "Save" option.
HOW TO
NOMINATE A ‘BIG TREE’:
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The CDC would like to record the
10 biggest trees of each species. People who want to update information
on registered trees, or nominate new ones, must use the Big
Tree Nomination Form and
submit to the BC Conservation Data Centre.
In order to complete the application
form you will need to recruit a B.C. Registered Professional Forester,
Registered Professional Biologist, Forestry Technician or Registered
Land Surveyor to ‘officially’ measure the nominee. These
individuals can usually be found by contacting the local offices
for: (a) Timber industry; (b) Ministry of Forests; (c) Ministry
of Environment Lands and Parks; (e) universities or colleges.
If you need further help in locating
someone to measure your tree, contact the Association of B.C.
Professional Foresters at (604) 687-8027.
HOW A
‘BIG TREE’ IS DETERMINED:
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Step 1.
Calculating Tree Measurements In The Field
The following measurements are taken:
a) Height ( Diagram 1): Total height
of tree as shown on diagram. In the case of a broken top, the
height to this point is also of interest. For the large coniferous
trees, height to first branch is of interest. Measurement is by
clinometer, Abney level or other suitable sighting instrument
with measurements from several different points ensuring accuracy
for the taller trees.
b) Circumference (Diagram 2): Circumference
is measured at breast height (B.H.) 1.37 m above ground level.
The diagram shows measurement locations in the case of slope.
If a low branch, fork in trunk or burl makes this location unsuitable,
measure at most suitable point above or below the obstruction.
Give measurement location if not at breast height.
c) Crown Spread (Diagram 3): This
is the average crown diameter (the distance across the branches).
Measure the widest and narrowest points and divide by two to obtain
the average.
Step 2. Calculating
Points
a) Using Imperial measurements:
Height - 1 point per foot
Circumference - 1 point per inch
Crown Spread - 1 point per four feet
b) Using metric measurements:
Height - 3.2808 points per metre
Circumference - 0.3937 points per centimentre
Crown Spread - 0.8202 points per metre
LINKS TO OTHER BIG TREE SITES
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The
National Register of Big Trees (USA)
Michigan's
Big Tree Coordinator
Virginia
Big Tree Program
The
Champion Tree Project
Oregon
Register of Big Trees
Record
Trees in Olymic National Park
Big
Trees on Saltspring Island
OLDLIST: A Database
of Maximum Tree Ages
Nomination
Form ~ Register
of Big Trees
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of Page
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