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Big & Heritage Trees

Since the 1930s, the New Jersey Forest Service’s Big Tree Conservation Program has documented the largest trees across the state. The Official New Jersey Big Tree Registry lists the biggest native and naturalized species, nominated by residents for their environmental, aesthetic and genetic value. Many of these trees also hold historic significance and are preserved for future generations. 

Some of New Jersey’s largest trees, known as Heritage or Witness Trees, have stood for centuries and witnessed historic events. These living monuments are found throughout the state’s diverse landscapes and represent an important part of New Jersey’s natural heritage. They help tell the stories of the past while inspiring memories for the future. 

Big trees give us hope. They have withstood the tests of time and nature, enduring countless storms and challenges. Their resilience reminds us of our own strength to endure and grow.

[vc_tta_accordion active_section=”999″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Benefits of Big Trees” tab_id=”1746634371289-14fcebaa-7985″][vc_column_text css=””]New Jersey takes pride in its big trees — and for good reason. These giants provide as much as 600 times the environmental benefits of an average tree. Big trees:

  • Remove tons of pollution from our air annually; 
  • Combat climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air; 
  • Lower electric costs up to 50 percent by providing shade to nearby structures; 
  • Reduce the heat island effect; 
  • Prevent water runoff, erosion and water pollution; 
  • Prevent flooding; 
  • Saves water by slowing evapotranspiration of thirsty lawns; 
  • One acre of mature trees releases enough oxygen for 18 people in one year; 
  • Filter ground water by absorbing nutrients and toxins through their roots; 
  • Provide wildlife habitat; 
  • Provide food in the form of fruits and nuts; 
  • Represent historic events; 
  • Provide wood and high-quality forest products; 
  • Unify communities and organizations; 
  • Help increase property values by as much as 15 percent; 
  • Slow water evaporation via shade, saving water; 
  • Create visually pleasing barriers; 
  • Provide natural sound barriers; 
  • Offer superior resistant genetics compared with typical trees; 
  • Increase traffic to businesses; 
  • Improve human psyche and physical health;

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Heritage Trees” tab_id=”1746634371289-ed0ffcac-989f”][vc_column_text css=””]The heritage tree section of the Big Tree Conservation Program highlights historic trees throughout New Jersey. Approved trees are added to the New Jersey Big and Heritage Tree Registry, and owners receive a heritage tree certificate. To qualify as a heritage tree, a tree must meet the following criteria:

  • It must be in New Jersey It must have a unique and easily identifiable name 
  • A detailed factual historic narrative 
  • Supporting documents Heritage trees and will be reviewed by the New Jersey Forest Service Big Tree Coordinator 
  • Any tree qualifies as a potential heritage tree, but its story must be found to be true and accurate
  • The progeny of established heritage trees already on the official big and heritage tree registry automatically qualify as heritage trees and the story passes from the parent tree to them
  • No invasive tree species will be classified as heritage trees
  • Heritage trees cannot be dead or dying or overtaken by diseases or pests
  • Hazard trees cannot be heritage trees or trees that pose distinct threats to people or property
  • The heritage tree owner must provide all pertinent permissions for their tree by completing a Right of Access (ROA) Agreement.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”How to Measure Big Trees” tab_id=”1746634438993-4838a055-459f”][vc_column_text css=””]The New Jersey Forest Service’s Big Tree Conservation Program uses the American Forests three-point formula to determine potential Big Tree Champions: 

Total points = trunk circumference (in inches) + tree height (in feet) + one-fourth of the average crown spread (in feet).

How to Measure a Trees Circumference

Start by measuring the circumference of the tree at 4 1/2 feet off the ground in inches, or if the tree sits on a slope, 4 1/2 feet from the uphill side. If the tree has a branch or abnormal swelling at 4 1/2 feet, take the measurement where the trunk returns to normal size. If you measure below 4 1/2 feet, make sure to include the actual height where the measurement was taken.

For example: 182″ or 15’-2” circumference at 3 feet.

How to Measure the Height of a Big Tree

There are numerous ways to measure the height of a tree. You can purchase a clinometer or a rangefinder, which will mechanically do the math for you, or you can use the Biltmore stick method that is described below.

Biltmore Stick Method

  1. Hold the stick or ruler at its base vertically, making certain that the length of the stick above your hand equals the distance from your hand to your eye.
  2. Move away from the tree while sighting the trunk base above your hand while staying on ground level (or on the same contour as the base of the tree).
  3. Stop when the top of the stick is level with the top of the tree.
  4. You should be looking over your hand at the base of the tree and, moving only your eyes, looking over the top of your stick at the top of your tree.
  5. Measure how far you are from the tree and that measurement – in feet – is the tree’s height.

Clinometer

  1. Measure out 66 feet (also referred to as one chain in the forestry world) from the base of your big tree.
  2. Place the clinometer to your eye and shoot an imaginary line to the top of the tree.
  3. Once you are lined up with the top of the tree, read the number on the right side of the clinometer. Let’s say the number is 95’.
  4. Now shoot a line with your clinometer to the base of the tree. Let’s say the number is – 5.
  5. Now let’s determine the total tree height. Take 95’ + 5 = 100”

Note if the number at the base of the tree is negative, you add it to the number at the top of the tree and if it’s positive you subtract it from the number at the top of the tree.

Rangefinder
Digital Rangefinders, also known as digital clinometers, are the most expensive of the three height measuring tools but they are quick and easy to use, and they are the most accurate. The nice thing about a digital rangefinder is that you can be any distance away from your tree and it will give you the tree’s height.

How to Measure a Trees Average Crown Spread

Measure the crown at its widest (A-B) and narrowest widths (C-D). Find the average crown by adding the two measurements and dividing by two.

Please note that September 1st is the cutoff date for big tree measurements and that tree measurements resume in the spring of each year.

Forestry Measurement Tools

Clinometer:
an instrument used for measuring the angle or elevation of slopes. The height of NJ big trees is measured 66 feet away from the tree. This allows the forester to use the numbers directly off the right side of the clinometer without having to use the formula to calculate height.

h = (A-B) * (d * .01)

Rangefinder/hypsometer:
A rangefinder/hypsometer provides accurate range, height, and angle measurements.

Logger’s Tape:
Loggers tapes are designed and manufactured for professional loggers, forestry specialists, and arborists. They come in a variety of blade lengths and scales including English, English/Metric, All metric, and Diameter. New Jersey Forest Service foresters typically use a 75’ tape because they are long enough to pull out 66’ (one chain) to measure tree height and circumference.

200’ Fiberglass Tape:
The crowns of big trees can be enormous. That is why it is necessary to be equipped with a 200’ fiberglass tape.

Cruising Vest:
A cruising vest is handy for foresters because it is a highly visible orange and it has many grommets for tying forestry tools like their clinometer and compass. It also has numerous pockets for carrying flagging and small field notebooks.

Smartphone:
Smartphones have become such a useful technology over the years. About four years ago the Big Tree Conservation Program switched over to logging field data with smartphones and it has proven to be more efficient than the past dataloggers.

R1 Receiver:
The Trimble R1 is a rugged, compact, lightweight GNSS receiver that provides professional-grade positioning information to any connected mobile device using Bluetooth® connectivity. This device allows NJFS foresters[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Nominate a Big or Heritage Tree” tab_id=”1746635772592-e047c39d-642c”][vc_column_text css=””]Most of New Jersey’s big trees are nominated by property owners who discover them on their land. Others are identified by big tree enthusiasts who locate notable specimens across the state. 

To nominate a tree for inclusion in the New Jersey Big Tree Map & Registry, individuals must complete a nomination form and a right of access agreement with the New Jersey Forest Service. 

Before submitting, check the registry to compare your tree’s measurements to the current champions — you may have found the next state or even national leader. 

Once a nomination is received, a forester or other New Jersey Forest Service staff member reviews it to determine the tree’s ranking and potential champion status. A site visit is then scheduled to confirm official measurements. 

Please be patient — nominations are processed in the order they are received, and each season brings many submissions for the small staff to review.

Nomination Form

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