Archived News Release: January 30, 2018 - The City of Ann Arbor's Champion Tree program identifies and catalogs the largest tree of each species within the city. The program was created in 1995 to highlight and recognize these remarkable trees and increase awareness of and appreciation for all of the trees that help make Ann Arbor "Tree Town."
The City's 1995 Champion Tree list was recently reviewed and trees were verified, re-measured and photographed. The updated list of 55 unique species can be found at a2gov.org/champtrees. The map provides the species, size and location as well as the environmental, social and economic benefits of each tree. Champion Tree status is determined based on a point system calculated using measurements of the tree's circumference, height, and ¼ crown spread. The tree with the highest point total becomes the Champion for that species. Here are examples of just some of the trees selected as Ann Arbor Champion Trees:
(PARK TREE) The Pignut Hickory Champion Tree is located in Mixtwood Pomona Park and currently earns 195 Champion Tree points. It has a circumference of 102 inches, height of 80 feet and a crown spread of 51 feet. In addition to its impressive size and spread, this tree, alone, also provides approximately $124 in energy savings, intercepts 6058 gallons of stormwater, and sequesters 940 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. All of these amount to about $295 in overall total annual benefits.
(STREET TREE) The Slippery Elm Champion Tree (pictured here, on the right) is located at 2942 Sharon Drive and currently earns 253 Champion Tree points. It has a circumference of 151 inches, height of 81 feet and a crown spread of 84 feet. Over the course of a year, this tree provides $171 in energy savings, intercepts 8,637 gallons of stormwater, and sequesters 2,226 pounds of carbon dioxide. All of these amount to about $472 in overall total annual benefits.
(PRIVATE TREE) The Tulip Poplar Champion Tree is located at 809 Oxford Road and currently earns 266 Champion Tree points. It has a circumference of 146 inches, height of 99 feet and a crown spread of 83 feet. In addition to its impressive size and spread, this tree, alone, also provides approximately $135 in energy savings, intercepts 6213 gallons of stormwater, and sequesters 695 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. All of these amount to about $433 in overall total annual benefits.
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