About the Register

American Forests established the National Register of Big Trees in 1940. A similar statewide register was started in Wisconsin the following year by conservationist Walter E. Scott. Today, the Wisconsin register for both native and non-native trees is maintained by the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry.

The purpose of this register is to provide you with the listing of Wisconsin's champion trees. It contains a wealth of information about the dimensions, rank, and location of each listed tree. At most, the register lists the top ten trees for each species found in Wisconsin.

How to Use the Register

Trees in this register are listed in alphabetical order according to genus, and then according to species and variety or cultivar. If you know the genus and species of the tree you are interested in, simply look up the tree on one of the lists. If you are unfamiliar with scientific names, consult the glossary. The glossary lists the common names and species of all trees listed in this register. You can then return to the list which specifies the genus of the tree you are looking for and consult the common name field for the specific type of tree you are looking for.

The largest specimens of each tree species are determined using a point system set up by American Forests. The system is based on circumference, height, and crown spread measurements taken for each tree and points are calculated as follows:

Total Points = Circumference in inches + Height in feet + 1/4 of Average Crown Spread in feet

Key to Headings in the Register

O = Origin
N = Native
E = Exotic (i.e. non-native)
Circ = Circumference in inches
Height = Height in feet
Spread = Crown Spread in feet
DLM = Date Last Measured