Support the National Champion Tree Program | National Champion Tree Program

You can help protect the largest trees in the United States!

Ways to Give

Online

Credit/Debit card, Venmo, or Paypal

Check

Made out to University of Tennessee, National Champion Tree Program

Mail to:

National Champion Tree Program
401 Agriculture & Natural Resources Building
2431 Joe Johnson Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4563

Wire Transfer

Email contact@nationalchampiontree.org for more information

What does my donation support?

Our mission is to protect, preserve, and keep record of the largest trees in the United States through public education and engagement.

This includes (but definitely isn’t limited to!):

547 current National Champion Trees across the United States
Supporting the State Champion Tree/Big Tree Programs in each state and territory

Current interns in Oregon, Georgia, Virginia, and Puerto Rico
Development of essential skills including:
- GIS mapping, mapmaking, and public communications
- Graphic design, marketing, social media management, event planning
- Community engagement, outreach, and education
- Data collection, management, and analysis
- Tree measurement (forest mensuration) and inventory, management and collection of archival data and records, nature photography
- Soft skills such as teamwork, time management, organization, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, adaptability, and leadership

Upcoming events:
- The Creative Roots: the NCTP Artists’ Showcase in Atlanta, GA
- el primer Festival de Árboles Campeones de Puerto Rico en Mayagüez, PR
Sharing information about the best practices for the care, maintenance, and preservation of large trees
Engaging audiences through vibrant presentations about Champion Trees and the importance of large trees
- Presentations about the Champion Tree Program have been given to educators, students of all ages, summer camps, professional organizations, garden clubs, Master Gardeners, volunteer foresters, and more!
- To have the National Champion Tree Program present at your event, gathering, or educational program, send details to contact@nationalchampiontree.org
Raising the cultural value of trees through celebration and recognition of remarkable specimens
- Documenting the records of these trees helps illuminate the relationship between humans and trees
- Honoring these remarkable beings is a point of pride for countless cities, neighborhoods, and individuals across the country
Working to support the creation and improvement of Tree Protection Ordinances across the country to protect large trees in all cities, towns, and neighborhoods

We have so much to learn from these elders and giants – we are currently seeking funding to support specific research projects including:
- LiDAR scans and 3D model creation of Champion Trees
  - To better understand their physiology, architecture, and shape
  - To share with the public and future scientists
- Studies of root architecture/reach of large trees
- Best practices for the protection, care, and maintenance of large trees
- Sustainable landscaping around Champion Trees
- Carbon sequestration of large trees in urban and rural landscapes
- Location of large trees with respect to socioeconomic status and historical formation of cities/towns

Many of the species we honor are endangered, threatened, or facing localized extinction due to introduced pests and diseases. We work to connect these specimens with local conservation efforts to ensure the survival of these species and preserve their genetic diversity.
Protecting a Champion Tree can help protect larger tracts of land from land use changes that would negatively impact the surrounding environment.
- Tuckahoe State Park in Maryland was created because a National Co-Champion Overcup Oak was documented on the land and would have been killed by the development originally planned for the area. Now it features a 400-acre arboretum!
Building a culture of honoring and preserving large trees in the landscape helps make our communities more livable, comfortable, and healthy.

Largest documented English Elm in the world, Maryland
National Co-Champion Tulip Poplar, Virginia
Bark at the base of National Co-Champion Tulip Poplar, Virginia

Your support helps us continue this vital work. Together we can ensure that these natural giants are protected, for us and for our grandchildren’s grandchildren.

The National Champion Tree Program thanks you for your support! Long live our Champion Trees!