New Champion Trees Crowned in 2025
State Forester Thomas Claeys is pleased to announce that thirteen new champion trees and two new second place champions have been added to the North Dakota Register of Champion Trees. The purpose of the champion tree contest is to engage the public in forestry activities and instill a desire to protect and preserve these magnificent trees for future generations.
The Register is the official list of the first and second largest trees of each tree species in the state. Using a formula from the National Champion Tree Program, measurements of circumference at 4.5 feet from the ground, height, and average crown spread together award total points for each tree. The tree with the largest number of points is considered the champion of its individual species.
The Amur chokecherry (Prunus maackii) located in the boulevard of 905 5th St N in Fargo, is a new addition to the Register. This new state champion has a total of 62.4 points for having a circumference of 28.5 inches, height of 27 feet, and average crown spread of 27.5 feet. This tree was nominated by Jakob Van Berkom.
The balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) located on USFS Dakota Prairie Grassland property south of Medora is a new addition to the Register. The tree was nominated by Kail Larsen, Jack Dahl, Bobby Henderson, and JJ Nelson. This new state champion has a total of 233.6 points for having a circumference of 121 inches, height of 102 feet, and average crown spread of 42.5 feet. This group also nominated a lanceleaf cottonwood (Populus acuminata) that proved to be a champion. This tree has a total of 261.8 points for its circumference of 147 inches, height of 100 feet, and crown spread of 59 feet.
The black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) owned by DeeJay Herring in Bismarck, is a new addition to the Register. This new state champion has a total of 139.9 points for having a circumference of 75.4 inches, height of 55.5 feet, and average crown spread of 36 feet.
The black walnut (Juglans nigra) owned by Ron and Brenda Lipp in Bismarck, is a new addition to the Register. This new state champion has a total of 176.4 points for having a circumference of 101 inches, height of 59 feet, and average crown spread of 65.5 feet.
The new boxelder (Acer negundo) champion, located on Edgewood Golf Course in Fargo, was nominated by Jakob Van Berkom. This new state champion has a total of 224.6 points for having a circumference of 139 inches, height of 71 feet, and average crown spread of 58.5 feet.
The eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) located at Lindenwood Park in Fargo, is a new addition to the Register. The tree was nominated by Jakob Van Berkom. This new state champion has a total of 88.5 points for having a circumference of 38 inches, height of 45 feet, and average crown spread of 22 feet.
The new Mayday tree (Prunus padus) champion, located at Longfellow Park in Fargo, was nominated by Jakob Van Berkom. This new state champion has a total of 50.9 points for having a circumference of 31 inches, height of 15 feet, and average crown spread of 19.5 feet.
The Miyabe maple (Acer miyabei) on North Dakota State University campus in Fargo, is a new addition to the Register. The tree was nominated by Jakob Van Berkom. This new state champion has a total of 56.1 points for having a circumference of 25 inches, height of 26 feet, and average crown spread of 20.25 feet.
The red maple (Acer rubra) owned by Lisa Waites in Hatton, is a new addition to the Register. The tree was nominated by Grace Ivesdal. This new state champion has a total of 107 points for having a circumference of 52 inches, height of 20 feet, and average crown spread of 35 feet.
The new river birch (Betula nigra) champion, located on Edgewood Golf Course in Fargo, was nominated by Grace Ivesdal. This new state champion has a total of 133.6 points for having a circumference of 60.7 inches, height of 58 feet, and average crown spread of 59.5 feet.
The Spring Snow crabapple (Malus spp.) owned by Joseph Weninger in Anamoose, is a new addition to the Register. This state champion crabapple has a total of 119.1 points for having a circumference of 78 inches, height of 32 feet, and average crown spread of 36.5 feet.
The swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) owned by Chris Schwanke in Fargo, is a new addition to the Register. This tree was nominated by Sam DeMarais. This new state champion has a total of 136.5 points for having a circumference of 67.5 inches, height of 56 feet, and average crown spread of 52 feet.
The registry also added a new second place champion for white ash (Fraxinus americana), on North Dakota State University campus in Fargo. This tree has a total of 90.5 points for having a circumference of 42.5 inches, height of 40 feet, and average crown spread of 31.8 feet. This tree was nominated by Jakob Van Berkom.
Lastly, a new second place champion eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) was added, at Island Park in Fargo. This tree has a total of 79.4 points for having a circumference of 36 inches, height of 38 feet, and average crown spread of 21.5 feet. This tree was nominated by Jakob Van Berkom.
Champion trees located on public land can usually be visited without a problem. However, if a champion tree is located on private property, the North Dakota Forest Service asks that you respect the landowner and ask permission before making a visit.
The Champion Tree program of North Dakota is led by the NDSU-North Dakota Forest Service. It is patterned after the National Champion Tree Program, which now resides under the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s School of Natural Resources.
To obtain a copy of the Register or information on how to nominate a champion, contact beth.hill@ndsu.edu.
Do you know of a potential Champion Tree?
All state champion tree records are on file at the headquarters of the North Dakota Forest Service and can be viewed on our new interactive Champion Tree map. Nominations are accepted through Dec 31. Upon receiving the form, NDFS staff will confirm the measurements, and the new Champions are announced each Arbor Day.