MEDIA RELEASE

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is now accepting nominations for the 2014 National Register of Big Trees. Across the United States, the largest trees of their species joined the ranks of the more than 780 national champion trees listed in American Forests’ National Register of Big Trees.

More than 40 new champions were crowned across 50 states and the District of Columbia, including six new champions in Hawaii.

“Hawaii’s Big Tree Competition is proud to announce that our champion, Mamane in Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve, has been included in the American Forests 2014 Calendar,” said DLNR Forestry Program Manager Sheri S. Mann. “We would also like to welcome our new Hawaii Big Tree coordinator, Nicholas Joly.”

The 10 Nationally Crowned Champions in Hawaii include:

* Koa in South Kona, Hawaii Island
* Niu (Coconut Palm) in Hawea Heiau Complex and Keawawa Wetland, Oahu
* Kolea lau nui in Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve, Hawaii Island
* Wiliwili in Puu Lani Ranch, Hawaii Island
* Hau (Sea Hibiscus) in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Island
* Aalii (Hopbush) at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, Maui
* Olopua (Hawaiian olive) in Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Island
* Papalakepau in Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve, Hawaii Island
* Manele (Soapberry Wingleaf) in Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Island
* Mamane in Puu Wwaawaa Forest Reserve, Hawaii Island

Since 1940, American Forests National Big Tree Program has promoted the importance of planting and caring for trees and forests in helping to sustain healthy ecosystems and life ` on Earth.

The program has campaigned to locate, protect and save the biggest specimens of every native and naturalized tree species in the United States.

Beyond national champions, Hawaii’s Big Tree Competition also recognizes the biggest trees in Hawaii using the same equation as the national program.

Sheri Shannon, coordinator of American Forests National Big Tree Program said: “Anyone can be a big tree hunter. It’s because of avid tree lovers that we are able to find some of the nation’s biggest trees.”

Sponsored by The Davey Tree Expert Company, the National Register of Big Trees accepts nominations for national champions year-round, and American Forests releases an updated version of the register twice a year.

The National Register of Big Trees records the largest trees of each species in the United States based on height, circumference and average crown spread.

To learn more about Hawaii’s Big Tree Competition or how to nominate a potential champion tree, contact Nicholas Joly at 808-586-0915. Be ready to provide the tree’s height, circumference, and crown spread measurements.

To learn more about American Forests’ National Big Tree Program or the Big Tree Measuring Guidelines, visit: www.americanforests.org/bigtrees/