2022 Maryland Big Tree
Program
SUMMARY
There were 228 trees newly measured, 119 trees were re-measured, and 51 deceased. All of these numbers are records for the program. We have moved 35 trees to the “Inactive” file. There are currently 2626 active trees (measured in the last 10 years) on the Maryland database, 686 deceased trees & 698 inactive trees (trees not re-measured in the last 10 years for various reasons). We were not able to re-measure 36 trees and they will be carried over to 2022.
The MBTP was funded by a grant of $2,000 from DNR Forest Service, donations totaling $4,150 from 12 local Forestry Boards, and a $75 donation from a big tree owner. DNR Forest Service also funded a new laser jet printer for use by the Chair. This printer is the property of DNR Forest Service and may be reassigned if needed elsewhere.
The web site, www.mdbigtrees.org. continues to be the major source of new referrals, with many of the new trees being referred automatically from the web site nomination form. In addition, media outreach from volunteers in Carroll and Garrett Counties resulted in a number of new nominations. Marty Adams, Barlett Tree Services, and Lou Meyer, Davey Tree Services, have nominated a number of new trees. Finally Marc Lipnick and Linda Barker, members of the Baltimore County Forestry Board, along with Wanda Dade, a volunteer, have located and measured numerous trees on public lands in Baltimore County.
From 2010 to 2016, the MBTP was managed by the Cecil County Forestry Board. Beginning in 2016 a new State-wide Committee was formed from members of the Association of Forestry Boards. In April 2022, retired State Forester Don VanHassent was added as a new member of the Committee.
DECEASED STATE CHAMPIONS – 8
BT-0763 Sycamore Harford 497 points - private
BT-1623 Sugar Maple Carroll 287 points – private
BT-3897 Norway Maple Carroll 276 points – private
BT-2356 Sweet Birch Harford 247 points – Gunpowder State Park
BT-2504 European White Birch Howard 156 points – Columbia Association
BT-2613 Pawpaw Montgomery 105 points – McCrillis Public Gardens – United States Champion
BT-3461 Staghorn Sumac Washington 61 points – private
BT-2442 Shrub Althea Baltimore 53 points - private
NEW STATE CHAMPIONS or CO-CHAMPIONS – 28
BT-4062 Yellow Poplar Charles 460 points - private
BT-4414 Pin Oak Montgomery 332 points - private
BT-4181 Eastern White Pine Garrett 309 points – private
BT-4175 Sugar Maple Carroll 278 points - private
BT-4070 Eastern Red Cedar St. Mary’s 251 points – private
BT-4057 Sweet Birch Baltimore 249 points – Gunpowder Falls SP
BT-3986 Bigtooth Aspen Garrett 230 points – private
BT-4072 Black Willow Baltimore 224 points – private
BT-4038 Virginia Pine Baltimore 223 points – Marshy Point SP
BT-4100 Port-Orford Cedar Baltimore City 210 points – private
BT-3996 Yellow Birch Baltimore 202 points – Prettyboy Reservoir
BT-4092 Sycamore Maple Washington 197 points - private
BT-4094 Scots Pine Baltimore City 144 points – Cylburn Arboretum
BT-3999 Eastern Hophornbeam Frederick 139 points – private
BT-4107 Japanese Black Pine Baltimore City 136 points – Cylburn Arboretum
BT-4036 Concolor Fir Cecil 136 points – private
BT-4096 Western Redcedar Baltimore City 122 points – Cylburn Arboretum
BT-3983 Crabapple Harford 112 points – Deer Creek Meeting House
BT-4073 Umbrella Magnolia Baltimore 108 points – Lake Roland Nature Center
BT-4124 Cockspur Hawthorn Baltimore City 71 points - Cylburn Arboretum
BT-4068 Common Witchhazel Baltimore 62 points – Oregon Ridge Nature Center
BT-4129 Limber Pine Baltimore City 59 points – Cylburn Arboretum
BT-4133 Fringetree Baltimore City 58 points – Cylburn Arboretum
BT-4060 American Bladdernut Montgomery 52 points – C & O Canal National Historical Park
BT-4132 Gray Dogwood Baltimore City 45 points – Cylburn Arboretum
BT-4131 American Plum Baltimore City 40 points – Cylburn Arboretum
BT-4097 Smooth Sumac Baltimore City 35 points – Cylburn Arboretum
BT-4130 Winged Sumac Baltimore City 30 points – Cylburn Arboretum
STAFF SUPPORT - Our DNR Forest Service staff support person ANNE GILBERT has been promoted to a collection of other responsibilities and is no longer our staff support. We want to thank her for her 6 years of dedicated assistance. JUSTIN ARSENEAULT is our new support.
MEDIA PRESENCE – There were 9 media accounts regarding Maryland Big Trees in 2022:
“Maryland’s Big Tree Program: How to find the champion trees in our state” The Frederick News Post, November 25, 2022
“What Is The Largest Tree In Maryland?” PartyShopMaine, August 15, 2022
https://partyshopmaine.com/maryland/what-is-the-largest-tree-in-maryland
“Maryland BIG TREE Program” Mountain Discoveries Magazine, Spring/Summer 2022
http://www.mountaindiscoveries.com/images/ss2022/stories/Big%20Trees.pdf
“Champion Trees of Harford County” Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, September 29, 2022
https://www.allianceforthebay.org/2022/09/champion-trees-of-harford-county
“Garrett County Champion Big Trees” Garrett County Forestry Board: web site
https://gcforestryboard.wixsite.com/gcfb/garrett-county-champion-big-trees
“Swanton tree named champion Norway spruce” Garrett County
Republican, September 1, 2022
“Recognizing Some of the County’s Shadiest Specimens” Carroll Magazine, August 3, 2022
https://carrollmagazine.com/carrolls-big-tree-program/
“Tuckahoe, Martinak hold Maryland Big Tree Walks” The Star Democrat, July 20, 2022 (features Jim B.)
“Maryland Big Tree Program Winners at Lake Roland” Lake Roland Nature Council, November 2022
(Recently measured trees – certificates and data sheets assembled and published)
COMMITTEE
As of December 31, 2022, the Committee includes the following members:
·
John Bennett, Chair
·
Joli McCathran, Vice Chair
·
Dawn
Balinski
·
Jim
Bardsley
·
Linda
Barker
·
Anne
Gilbert – DNR Liaison
·
Doug
Inkley
·
Kathie
Jarmon
·
Dori
Murphy
·
Jim
Sherring
·
Geary
Schwemmer
·
Don
Van Hasset