Two images showing the full tree are required
Full Tree (or as much of the tree as physically possible)
Some of these giants are too large to capture in a single photo from the ground, or covered up by nearby trees and structures. Just do your best!
Here are some examples of the National Champion Tuliptree, Liriodendron tulipifera taken in 2021 by Eric Wiseman – you can see the big tree is obscured by many other smaller trees, but we can also get an idea of the size of the tree in question.
Tree with a person or other recognizable object for scale
It can be hard to tell the scale of what’s in a photo if there isn’t something for reference. Please send us a picture of the tree with a person standing next to it, or something by the tree’s trunk that shows its size.
Some solo measurers leave their backpack or hat by the trunk of the tree when they take a picture. You can also set your phone/camera up on a tripod and use the timer function to give yourself enough time to stand next to the tree before the photo is taken.
You can take the photo close to the trunk to show how large the trunk is, or far away to show the size of a person compared to the whole tree.
4 other photos which may be selected from the following:
(none are individually required but we need a total of 4 from these categories):
From N/S/E/W Directions
The NCTP previously required the above two photos as well as one photo from each cardinal direction. This can be hard with obstacles and buildings in the way, but it’s still a great way for us to see what the whole trunk looks like and make sure our certified measurers are visiting the correct tree.
To take a picture from a specific cardinal direction, use a compass or a map to identify which way is North. Standing at the tree, walk northward and turn to face the tree, taking the picture from the North direction. Move eastward of the tree’s trunk and take a picture of the tree from the East direction. Repeat for the other cardinal directions, and be sure to note down which picture is from which direction.
Fruit (on tree)
A picture of the fruit (still on the tree) can help with species identification. Fruit that has fallen off the tree is less helpful, as we can’t tell from the photo if the fruit came from the tree in question or a nearby tree.
This picture clearly shows the iconic little red berries found on the non-native Bush/Amur Honeysuckle shrub (Lonicera spp.).
Leaves (on tree)
A picture of the leaves (still on the tree) can help with species identification, especially if we can see buds and the arrangement of the leaves on the branch. Leaves that have fallen off the tree are less helpful, as we can’t tell from the photo if the leaves came from the tree in question or a nearby tree.
This example shows clearly the arrangement of leaves on the twig (in this case, alternate), the shape of the leaf, the texture of the leaf’s margin (the edge of the leaf – this one is doubly serrated), and the buds at the base of the leaf.
Another clue to this species is the uneven leaf base, where the leaf attaches to the petiole – Elm Trees are known to have asymmetrical leaf bases. The more clearly we can see the leaf and how it attaches to the stem, the more information we have to help identify the species correctly!
This photo also features a Japanese Beetle (Popilla japonica) – these beetles are known to “skeletonize” trees by eating the soft leaf tissue between the veins, leaving only the leaf’s “skeleton” behind. Although the Japanese Beetle feeds on over 300 species, sometimes the presence of a specific insect on a tree can help narrow down the species. It’s also cool to see what other life forms enjoy this arboreal wonder!
Bark (on tree)
A picture of the bark texture (still on the tree) can help with species identification. Bark that has fallen off the tree is less helpful, as we can’t tell from the photo if the bark came from the tree in question or a nearby tree.
Circumference Measurement
A picture of someone measuring the circumference of the tree with a measuring tape or a D-tape can help us verify that the measurement was taken at the right height, with the tape wrapped tightly around the tree. It also helps us see the scale of the tree.
Measurements are not required for public nominations, but estimated measurements are always welcome!
Plagues/Signage
Signs, brochures, and plaques help interpret the natural world for visitors. Pictures of these items can help us understand the cultural importance of the tree to the people who live, work, and play around it.
Other: _______
Fill in the blank! We would love to have any other pictures that help tell the story of your tree, even if they don’t fit into one of the above categories. Help us archive the photo correctly by telling us what the photo is showing.
A picture from the base looking upward can be a great view.
Photo Credit
We want to honor the photographers who have captured these photos! Please give us their name and, if they have a website or organization, when we share their photos we can link to that as well. We would like to reach out to them directly to ensure that we’re legally allowed to use their picture, but if you have confirmation that we’re allowed to use it, we can take your word for it.
Please remember that if you submit pictures that we are not legally allowed to use, any liability or harm that comes from sharing those pictures will be your responsibility. We are able to keep photos private (for internal use only) if you do not want them shared online – be sure to mark that on the submission form.
If you believe a photo on our website is sharing private information about you or your tree, or is violating your copyright as the photographer, please email us at contact@nationalchampiontree.org so we can remove it (or give appropriate credit, if that’s your preference). Your privacy, the tree’s privacy, and your rights as a photographer are extremely important to us.
Alt Text
Adding alt text to your photos helps make sure that everyone can “see” what’s in the picture. Some people with visual impairments use screen readers that read websites out loud. When the screen reader comes to a picture, it will read out the alt text so that the user can know what’s going on in the photo. If there’s no text-based information about the image, the screen reader cannot tell the person what is in the photo. When we add alt text, we are describing what’s in the photo so that people who are visually impaired can also enjoy the images of these beautiful trees!
Learn how to Write helpful Alt Text to describe images.
